Odisha celebrates 74th Republic Day, peaceful flag hoisting in Maoist hit districts

Bhubaneswar, Jan 26 (PTI) Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal Thursday unfurled the National Flag at Mahatma Gandhi Marg here in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the state level parade on the occasion of 74rd Republic Day celebrations.

After two years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, people from different walks of life were seen joining the function dressed in their colourfull best attires.

The highlight of the function was a parade, led by Kesinga SDPO Yaspratap Shrimal.

A troop of Andhra Pradesh police took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time. Daredevil acts were performed on motorcycles while different traditional dances and music marked the celebrations.

Troupes from Kabisuryanagar in Ganjam performed Pasu Mukha Nrutya amid Ghanta Mrudanga music while artistes from Boudh district enthralled the audience with Sabar Sabaruni dance. Bajasal, Singari and Ghumura dances were also performed by artistes of Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district and Dhemsa dance by the artistes of the PVTG (particularly vulnerable tribal group) from Rayagada district.

Tableaux of agriculture, health, education, panchayati raj and drinking water, works department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Tourism, OSACS, OMC and fire departments highlighted different initiatives and welfare schemes. Odisha Millets Mission tableaux won the first prize at the state-level Republic Day parade here.

Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra, and Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner SK Priyadarshi received Governor Lal and the chief minister at the parade venue. Senior IAS, IPS and IFS Officers also attended the ceremony.

Apart from the State-level parade in Bhubaneswar, the entire state including left extremist-affected affected places like Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district too celebrated the 74th Republic Day with great fervour.

Senior police officers and BSF jawans attended flag hoisting at different places in areas which were earlier considered Maoist-infested. Special security arrangements were made in such areas, a top police officer said.

In his Republic Day message message, Lal said that Odisha has all the potentials to emerge as a developed state. He called upon all to pledge to make Odisha a prosperous and leading state in the country.

Patnaik in his message said the state has been marching ahead in the fields of industrial development, education, health, women empowerment, agriculture and sports.

Noting that Odisha has attracted the attention of the whole world by hosting the Men’s Hockey World Cup for the second consecutive time in a row, Patnaik said: “This is a proud moment for all of us.” The Chief Minister claimed that the state has received investment intents worth around Rs 10 lakh crore in the recently concluded Make in Make In Odisha Conclave-2022. The investment proposals have the potential to create at least 10 lakh employment opportunities in Odisha, he said.

Patnaik also highlighted that the state’s women empowerment, school transformation, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY), Kalia schme for farmers and Odisha Millet Mission have helped with transformational work in the state.

“Odisha will certainly achieve the target of reaching the top before the state observes its centenary celebration in 2036,” said the Chief Minister.

Patnaik also paid tribute tributes to freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Utkalmani Gobabandhu Das, Veer Surendra Sai, Nabakrushna Choudhury, Saheed Laxman Nayak, Rama Devi, Malati Choudhury, Harekrushna Mahtab and Biju Patnaik on the occasion. PTI AAM AAM JRC JRC