Celebrating The True Spirit Of Diwali

Bhubaneswar: Inspired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s call for real transformation and reaching out to common man, officials today celebrated Diwali with children and the needy. As part of the transformation process being undertaken under the 5-T Initiative, Naveen had called government officials to get together with common people to understand their needs and bring in real development. A few days back, Naveen had instructed his officers and ministers to visit the schools and orphanages during their visit to the districts and have lunch with the children and inmates. This will enable them to know the real issues and also help better management of the schools and orphanages.

On the occasion of the Festival of Lights, officials of various districts including District Collectors and from the Police Department visited orphanages and schools for differently able children and spent the day with them. Bringing cheers in the face of children, the action has evoked a trendsetting reaction.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who did not celebrate his Birthday this year in view of the devastating Cyclone Fani, visited the SOS Children’s Village in Bhubaneswar and celebrated Diwali with them. This action of the Chief Minister brought immense happiness among the children and they enjoyed the occasion in true sense. The Chief Minister also had in interaction with the children. The Chief Minister also granted the SOS Children’s Village a grant of Rs 20 Lakhs for its development.

Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy also visited a children’s home in Bhubaneswar and celebrated Diwali with the children. Director General of Police Bijaya Kumar Sharma celebrated Diwali with family members including children of police personnel at RP Lines, Bhubaneswar in the presence of CP and others. Many other officers also followed the Chief Ministers initiative and visited to grassroots levels to celebrate Diwali.

Following Naveen’s call for reaching out to grassroots, Officers of the State Government were also seen at the ground celebrating Diwali with the children. Secretary 5-T Initiatives, V K Pandian, one of the true believers of reaching out to common people, went to the Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex and visited the Sports Hostel and celebrated Diwali with the students. He not only distributed sweets to the students but also had lunch with them and had a close interaction with them. The students, most of whom were interacting for the first time with him, exchanged wishes and were very happy. Vineel Krishna, Director and Additional Secretary, Department of Sports was with him to celebrate the day.

Likewise, Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange visited Shradha Sanjivani and the school for Blind and Deaf in Ambapua Berahampur. Bolangir Collector Arindam Dakua visited Parbati Giri Balashram and spent the day with the children. Also, Kendrapada Collector Samarth Verma went to the Reiswa Destitute Home and celebrated Diwali there. Collector Puri, Balwant Singh spent the time with the members of the Utkala Bashrama and celebrated Diwali with them. Keonjhar Collector Asish Thakre , like every year, visited the Urban Deprived Hostel and interacted with the members while celebrating Diwali. In Sonepur, Collector Monisha Banerjee visited the CCI and gifted pleasantries with the children on the occasion of Diwali.Collector Kandhamal Brundha D celebrated Diwali with the inmates of Gopabandhu Balashram, Phulbani. And the same has been followed in other districts also.