Bhubaneswar: The 78th Independence Day has been held at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in the Capital City of Bhubaneswar. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi joined as the Chief Guest and hoisted the national flag and took salute in the joint parade.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, DG Police Arun Kumar Sarangi, ACS Revenue & Disaster Management, Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Nikunja Bihari Dhal, ACS General Administran, Surendra Kumar and MLA Babu Singh and others were among the guests.
Principal Secretaretaries, Secretaries, senior officers and dignitaries and a large number of people were present.
After paying tribute to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters of the country, Chief Minister Shri Majhi addressed the audience and said that India has reached the fifth largest economy in the world after coming from the eleventh place in the world economy. Soon India will be among the top three economies of the world, pointed out CM.
Remembering Odisha’s contribution in the freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that when the Odia Ashmita was struck, a new awakening has come in this state, adding he said that if the rural economy is prosperous, the entire Odisha will be prosperous. The goal of the government is to improve not only farmers and women, but also all sections of the society.
That is why the government is taking steps to implement the PESA Act for collective development in the tribal districts. The state government has implemented the Gopbandhu Jan Arogya Yojana along with the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to make healthcare accessible to all in the state.
Three milestones have been set in 2029, 2036 and 2047 for the development of the state. Prime Minister aims to make India a developed India by 2047. We have to lead the development of Odisha and enrich the economy of Odisha by 2036 in the vastness of developed India. The next two decades will be a golden chapter in the history of Odisha.
On this occasion, 58 platoons participated in the parade held at Gandhi Marg. Among these platoons were 120 Battalion, Border Security Force, CRPF, ITBP, SOG Chandka, Armed Police Force, NCC of various schools in Bhubaneswar, Scouts and Guides, Red Cross and others. Amrit Pal Kaur, IPS conducted the parade.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi awarded the best platoons among the platoons who participated in the parade held on January 26, 2024. SOG Chandaka for Best Uniformed Armed Forces, Odisha Swift Action Force as Best State Police, NCC Boys and Girls Platoon for Best Senior Division in NCC, Saink School Bhubaneswar and ODM Public School, Bhubaneswar in Best Junior NCC Division, St. Xavier High School Khadgiri for Best Non-NCC School (Girls), Capital Girls High School, Unit-II was awarded the Best School Band.
On the occasion of Independence Day-2024, the Chief Minister awarded various educational institutions and organizations that have contributed well to the progress of the state. Bhubananda Odisha School of Engineering, Cuttack, Berhampur Govt. ITI, Kendrapara Govt. Polytechnic, etc. P. Kumari of Electronics Department, Berhampur ITI for best performance globally. and Technician Anurag Michael, Pritam Das of ITI received the award from Chief Minister.
Information and Public Relations Principal Secretary, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director I&PR, Saroj Kumar Samal and Director Technical, Surendranath Parida and all officers of the I&PR department were present. Deputy Director Sucheta Priyadharsini, Public Relations Officer Rosalin Sahu and Binayak Mishra conducted the programme.