Bhubaneswar, Sep 18 (NationPress) On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, the state of Odisha has achieved a remarkable milestone by planting more than 1.49 crore saplings in just one day as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.

With the national target set at 75 lakh saplings, Odisha’s extraordinary effort—almost double the national goal—stands out as a significant tribute to both the environment and the vision of the Prime Minister.

The campaign saw the enthusiastic involvement of nearly 4 lakh volunteers from across the state, including various government departments, local organizations, environmental groups, and passionate citizens.

Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, the Forest and Environment Minister, praised this initiative as a significant step forward in environmental conservation.

In a statement to IANS, Khuntia expressed gratitude to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for their guidance and support in this extraordinary campaign. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond mere tree planting—it is about securing a sustainable future for generations.

The Minister also unveiled plans for special monitoring systems to ensure the survival of the saplings, assigning long-term care and protection responsibilities to the panchayats.

“We anticipate that within 18 months, the majority of the saplings will be well-rooted, facilitating easier maintenance and care,” he noted.

Khuntia reiterated the state’s dedication to addressing climate change, global warming, and ecological imbalance, asserting that plantation drives will continue as part of Odisha’s extensive sustainability agenda.

Prime Minister Modi, who was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, has emerged as one of the most influential leaders globally. His journey from modest beginnings—his father operated a tea stall, while his mother was a homemaker—to becoming a prominent figure is a narrative of resilience.

At the age of 17, he left home to explore India, eventually joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where the values of discipline and service became pivotal in his life. Influenced by Swami Vivekananda, his early experiences were marked by spiritual pursuits and activism, including his role in the anti-Emergency movement.

In 1985, he joined the BJP and served four terms as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. He took the oath as India’s 14th Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, and is currently in his third consecutive term.