Is Odisha Truly the Shining Star of India's Cultural Heritage?

Bhubaneswar, June 20 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Odisha as the brilliant beacon of India's vast cultural heritage during his visit to the state on Friday. He was addressing a gathering at the state-level ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Mohan Charan Majhi-led government.

PM Modi expressed, “Odisha is not just a state; it's a brilliant beacon of India's rich heritage. For centuries, Odisha has contributed to Indian civilization and culture. Today, as the principles of development and heritage form the bedrock of India's advancement, Odisha's significance has only increased.”

He further mentioned that he graciously declined an invitation from US President to visit America post the G7 summit in Canada, having already scheduled a visit to the sacred land of Lord Jagannath.

Recognizing the challenges Odisha has faced for decades, he pointed out the prevalence of corruption and red tape, along with the dire state of infrastructure under prior administrations.

He remarked that these challenges have become unfortunate realities for Odisha, asserting that over the past year, their government has diligently worked to tackle these issues.

Discussing the double benefits stemming from the double-engine government, PM Modi noted, “People in the state had long been deprived of various health schemes. Today, they are benefiting from both the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Jan Aarogya Yojana. More than 23 lakh senior citizens over 70 years old are also reaping the benefits of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana.”

He criticized the Congress model, which he claimed only fostered corruption and policy paralysis, while asserting that in states governed by the BJP, a new growth model focused on public welfare has emerged.

Drawing comparisons to Assam and Tripura, he noted how several states have achieved stability and rapid progress over the last decade following the establishment of BJP governments.

He further indicated that prior to 2014, tribal communities were neither developed nor involved in governance.

The nation had over 125 tribal areas, all impacted by Maoist violence; however, past governments failed to address these issues, instead labeling them as 'Maoist-affected'.

PM Modi pledged to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and vowed to fulfill the aspirations of the tribal population.

He discussed the PM Janman Yojana, stating that its inspiration stemmed from Odisha.

He acknowledged the guidance of the nation’s first tribal woman President and Odisha’s own Droupadi Murmu in shaping this initiative.

He asserted that the growth of 21st-century India will be driven by Eastern India, declaring this the era of Purvoday.

During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the groundwork for development projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore, which encompass crucial sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, health infrastructure, rural roads, bridges, national highways, and a new railway line.

He also flagged off new train services to enhance rail connectivity to Boudh district for the first time.

Additionally, the Prime Minister released the Odisha Vision Document for a Samruddha Odisha by 2036 (the centenary of Odisha as India’s first linguistic state) and 2047 (the centenary of India's Independence), outlining an ambitious roadmap for inclusive growth.