Bhubaneswar: The 300th birth anniversary of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was recently celebrated in Odisha, highlighting her enduring legacy as a ruler and social reformer.
Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi lauded her as a “unique example of woman power, good governance, and social service,” emphasizing her justice, courage, and dedication to her people as a source of inspiration for modern Odisha.
Ahilyabai’s ideals, including her focus on rural development, women’s empowerment, education, and health, were presented as foundational principles that continue to inform contemporary governance.
The Chief Minister also drew parallels between Ahilyabai’s leadership and the current state government’s initiatives, such as the “Subhadra Yojana” for women’s empowerment, aiming to foster economic and social self-reliance.
The event also saw other dignitaries, including Speaker Smt. Surma Padhi and Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parvati Parida, echoing Ahilyabai’s significance as a symbol of justice and bravery, and an inspiration for good governance and women’s empowerment in Odisha. A new Odia book, “Karmayogini Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar,” based on her life, was released at the event.
While commemorating Ahilyabai’s historical contributions, the Chief Minister also briefly invoked contemporary political rhetoric, referencing “Operation Sindhur” as a symbol of women’s empowerment and connecting it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to women’s dignity. This aspect, though a departure from a purely historical focus, aimed to contextualize Ahilyabai’s ideals within a broader national narrative of strength and women’s leadership.