What Did Odisha's Chief Minister Say on the 79th Independence Day Celebration?
Chief Minister Majhi Celebrates Independence Day in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi raised the national flag during the 79th Independence Day celebrations held at PMG Square in Bhubaneswar.
He conveyed his warm wishes to the citizens of Odisha, all Indians nationwide, and those residing abroad in honor of this significant day.
In his speech, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the freedom fighters from various ideologies who united to end British colonial rule.
Majhi emphasized Odisha's crucial contributions to the independence movement, recalling the sacrifices made by notable Odia freedom fighters such as Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, Shaheed Laxman Naik, Veer Surendra Sai, and Chakra Bisoi.
He also honored Bakshi Jagabandhu and Jayee Rajguru, leaders of the Paika Rebellion in Odisha in 1817, which predated the 1857 sepoy mutiny, recognized as the First War of Independence.
The Chief Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive actions in launching Operation Sindoor following the tragic terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.
He commended the Indian armed forces for successfully targeting nine terrorist hideouts and 11 Pakistani military installations during the operation.
Majhi highlighted the first-time demonstration of indigenous advanced defense technology during this operation, showcasing the success of the 'Make in India' initiative.
Focusing on Odisha, he asserted that his administration has met the aspirations of the populace, achieving several milestones within a year that were previously unattainable.
He mentioned that under the Prime Minister's guidance, the state has developed targeted strategies for its four key demographics—women, farmers, the underprivileged, and youth—to promote inclusive and rapid growth.
To meet these goals, the government has prioritized livelihood, infrastructure, social development, and the promotion of Odia identity.
Highlighting the swift industrial growth under his leadership, Chief Minister Majhi noted that Odisha has attracted investments exceeding Rs 1.80 lakh crore through the establishment of 60 industries in the last six to seven months. He encouraged citizens to wear traditional Odia handloom clothing at least once a week.
He announced that the Union Cabinet's approval for two semiconductor units in the state would revolutionize the electronics and IT sectors in Odisha.
Additionally, he revealed plans for a pharma conclave that will host major pharmaceutical companies from across the nation and abroad, aiming to transform Odisha into a pharmaceutical hub and create over 2.5 lakh job opportunities.
Reiterating his government's 'Zero tolerance' policy on women's safety, Majhi stated, "Those who perpetrate violence against women, regardless of their power or influence, belong behind bars. They have no place in a civilized society. The police have been empowered to take strict action against anyone negligent in ensuring women's safety."
He also announced plans for a Police memorial to honor Odisha police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Furthermore, he declared that under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, eligible families in the eight KBK districts (Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada), along with Boudh, Gajapati, and Kandhamal districts, will receive 5 kg of free rice per month for three months.