CM Majhi Inaugurates Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025, Unveils Bold Development Vision
Keonjhar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025 on Friday evening, marking the start of a three-day cultural extravaganza at the foothills of sacred Gonasika.
The festival celebrates tribal heritage, folk arts, and traditions, serving as what Majhi described as a “platform for cultural continuity” that honours ancestors while inspiring youth to embrace their roots.
In his address, Majhi emphasised unity in diversity as the essence of Indian culture and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for reviving cultural pride.
He also outlined ambitious plans to position Odisha among India’s top five developed states by 2036.
The state has allocated over Rs 65,000 crore to strengthen rail and road connectivity across districts.
Under Mission Power, every village will have all-weather roads, 24-hour electricity, and piped drinking water by 2027.
Highlighting Odisha’s economic momentum, Majhi spotlighted the Utkarsh Odisha global investors’ summit, which attracted proposals worth Rs 17 lakh crore in just seven months, promising over 13 lakh jobs.
Projects worth Rs 2.40 lakh crore are already underway, expected to generate 1.5 lakh jobs.
Keonjhar is set to emerge as a steel hub, rivalling Rourkela and Jajpur, with a mega steel plant in the pipeline. Roads in mining areas will be converted into six-lane highways, while Barbil will see a new ring road.
The Kendujhar-Barbil-Joda region is envisioned as a strong economic corridor.
Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to Odia pride, mandating all official work in Odia.
He stressed that tribal culture, with 62 Scheduled Tribe communities, is inseparable from Odisha’s identity. Through dances, music, and literature, the festival aims to promote tourism and cultural propagation.
The event was attended by District Collector Vishal Singh, Keonjhar MP Ananta Charan Nayak, MLAs Badri Narayan Patra, Fakir Mohan Nayak, and Akhila Chandra Nayak, along with DIG Brijesh Ray and SP Nitin Kushalkar.
