Dhenkanal: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today paid rich tributes to the youngest freedom fighter, Shaheed Baji Rout, at his birth centenary celebrations in Nilakantpur, Dhenkanal, hailing his sacrifice as the “pride of India and the pride of Odisha.”
Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture organized the centenary celebration program. Addressing the event, the Chief Minister Shri Majhi declared that a road in Bhubaneswar will be named after Baji Rout and welfare schemes will be launched in his name.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi emphasized that Baji Rout’s path must be followed to build a prosperous Odisha and a developed India.
In a major development push for Dhenkanal, the CM laid the foundation stone for the Baji Rout Sports Complex, a facility to be built at a cost of ₹120 crore.
He also announced the launch of industrial projects worth over ₹50,000 crore in the district, with ₹30,000 crore earmarked for the solar energy sector.
This massive investment aims to establish Dhenkanal as a solar energy rich district and is expected to create 26,400 direct and indirect employment opportunities, curbing youth migration.
The Chief Minister also confirmed that Baji Rout’s birthplace has been declared a ‘Barputra Adarsh Gram’. The CM felicitated the martyr’s family and Prajamandal movement activists, and released a commemorative book and photograph.
The Chief Minister stressed that a prosperous district will be the foundation of a prosperous Odisha, with the ultimate goal of making Odisha a major player in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047.
The ceremony concluded with the felicitations of Baji Rout’s family members and Prajamandal movement activists, and the release of the book ‘Dhenkanal Ganasangram Amar Shaheed Baji Rout’ by the Sahitya Akademi.
The book and the martyr’s photo will be distributed to all schools in the district.
Minister, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Shri Krishna Chandra Patra and Minister, Odia language, Literature and Culture, Shri Suryabansi Suraj, along with local MLAs and MP Rudra Narayan Pani, were also present to pay homage.
Secretary Odia language, Literature and Culture, Dr.Bijaya Ketan Upadhyay presented vote of thanks. Entire show was well coordinated and celebrations saw participation of the people across the district.