President Murmu arrives in Rairangpur; PM Modi to join for ₹47,000 crore Odisha event
Synopsis
India's top two constitutional functionaries — President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi — will be in Rairangpur, Odisha simultaneously on 20 June, a rare convergence. With ₹47,000 crore in projects on the line and the President celebrating her birthday in her hometown, the BJP is using the moment to make a sweeping statement about its two years in power in Odisha.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj on 19 June for a two-day Odisha visit, delayed by roughly two hours due to adverse weather.
She inaugurated a medical camp by AIIMS Bhubaneswar , a rural piped water supply project for mining-affected villages, Matrushakti Bhavan , a Special Circuit House , and the Rairangpur Police District .
PM Narendra Modi will join her on 20 June for the BJP government's second anniversary event, at which projects worth approximately ₹47,000 crore will be inaugurated or have foundation stones laid.
Both dignitaries will visit Pahadpur village and offer prayers at tribal sacred groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera at around 11:15 am .
20 June is also President Murmu's birthday, which she will celebrate in her hometown — a first for the region since her election as President.
Odisha Police have deployed extensive security across Mayurbhanj district in view of the twin VIP visits.
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in her native Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, on Friday, 19 June, beginning a two-day visit that will culminate in a rare joint appearance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government. Projects worth approximately ₹47,000 crore are set to be inaugurated or have their foundation stones laid during the event on 20 June.
Delayed Arrival Due to Adverse Weather
Unfavourable weather conditions prevented a direct flight to Rairangpur, forcing President Murmu to travel by road from Kalaikunda Airstrip in neighbouring West Bengal. The detour resulted in a delay of approximately two hours in her arrival. Despite the disruption, she was accorded a grand welcome by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, local public representatives, and senior administrative officials.
Inaugurations at Rairangpur
Shortly after arrival, the President inaugurated a medical camp organised by AIIMS Bhubaneswar at the Sub-district Hospital in Rairangpur. She also formally launched a mega integrated rural piped water supply project for mining-affected villages under Kusumi Block, the Matrushakti Bhavan of Brahma Kumaris, a Special Circuit House, and the newly constituted Rairangpur Police District.
What the Chief Minister Said
Chief Minister Majhi said that President Murmu's arrival to attend the governance anniversary celebration had 'further glorified Odia identity and pride.' He added that 'her story of simplicity and struggle serves as the greatest inspiration for every Odia,' and that her guidance would strengthen the resolve to build a prosperous and empowered state.
PM Modi Joins on 20 June — What's Planned
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive at Rairangpur on Saturday, 20 June — the same day President Murmu celebrates her birthday in her hometown, making the occasion particularly significant for the region. Both dignitaries will first visit Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj district at around 11:15 am, where they will offer prayers at the sacred tribal groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, and visit a Skill Centre and Pahadpur School. They will then attend the main BJP government anniversary event, at which PM Modi will address a large public gathering. Odisha Police have deployed extensive security arrangements across Mayurbhanj district, particularly in and around Rairangpur, in view of the twin VIP visits. The simultaneous presence of the President and the Prime Minister in a single district is a rare occasion in Odisha's political calendar, and underscores the BJP's intent to showcase its governance record ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
And anchoring a ₹47,000 crore project showcase to her birthday amplifies that signal. The real question is whether the project announcements represent fresh capital allocation or a repackaging of previously announced schemes — a pattern that has recurred in state-level BJP events. Odisha is also a state the BJP won decisively in 2024 after two decades in opposition, and the two-year anniversary event is as much about consolidating that mandate as it is about governance delivery.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did President Murmu travel by road to Rairangpur?
Adverse weather conditions prevented a direct flight to Rairangpur, so President Murmu travelled by road from Kalaikunda Airstrip in West Bengal, arriving with a delay of approximately two hours.
What projects did President Murmu inaugurate in Rairangpur on 19 June?
She inaugurated a medical camp by AIIMS Bhubaneswar at the Sub-district Hospital, a mega integrated rural piped water supply project for mining-affected villages under Kusumi Block, the Matrushakti Bhavan of Brahma Kumaris, a Special Circuit House, and the Rairangpur Police District.
Why is PM Modi visiting Rairangpur on 20 June?
PM Modi is attending the event marking the second anniversary of the BJP-led Odisha state government. Projects worth approximately ₹47,000 crore will be inaugurated or have their foundation stones laid, and he will address a large public gathering.
What is the significance of 20 June for President Murmu?
20 June is President Droupadi Murmu's birthday, which she will celebrate in her hometown of Rairangpur — making the occasion especially significant for the region's residents and for the event's symbolic weight.
Who will President Murmu and PM Modi visit in Mayurbhanj district?
Both will visit Pahadpur village at around 11:15 am on 20 June, where they will offer prayers at the tribal sacred groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, and visit a Skill Centre and Pahadpur School before attending the main anniversary event.
