Odisha CM Charts Ambitious Path on 80th Independence Day
On the 80th Independence Day, the Odisha Chief Minister paid tribute to national icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh, while highlighting Odisha’s historic role in the Paika Rebellion, Ghumusar uprising, and tribal revolts.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for India’s transformation through Swachh Bharat, DBT, healthcare expansion, and defence self‑reliance.
Odisha’s near‑elimination of Left‑Wing Extremism was noted as a milestone.
The CM unveiled a roadmap for a “Prosperous Odisha by 2036” with key initiatives:
- Mission Power: Roads, electricity, and drinking water for all villages by 2027.
- Education: Free schooling from kindergarten to postgraduate, extended mid‑day meals, free textbooks, 2,200 new model schools, and 71,000 teacher appointments.
- Healthcare: Coverage for 3.7 crore people, new medical and nursing colleges, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic institutions.
- Agriculture: Paddy procurement at Rs 3,100, Rs 10,000 annual farmer support, and aid for dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry.
- Women Empowerment: Subhadra and Lakhpati Didi schemes, marriage and daughter‑support programs.
- Industry & Jobs: Rs 21 lakh crore investment proposals, 453 projects approved, 2.5 lakh jobs created in textiles, pharma, semiconductors, AI, IT, and tourism.
- Infrastructure: Rail modernisation, highways, Puri International Airport, and new expressways.
- Youth & Skills: World Skill Centres, ITI upgrades, AI labs; Odisha won 57 medals in India Skills 2025–26.
Governance reforms included proportional SC/ST reservation in technical and medical education, free rice under Annapurna Yojana, expanded pensions, grievance redressal, anti‑corruption measures, and raising the age limit for government jobs to 42.
The CM emphasised Odia language promotion, temple beautification, and Puri’s rise as a global spiritual hub under the motto “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”.
He closed with the declaration: “Odisha’s Decade Begins Now”, envisioning a developed Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047.
