Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 June 2025 announced that Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha — the native village of President Droupadi Murmu's in-laws — will be developed as a fully solar-powered village, with free solar electricity for every household and surplus power generation to supplement residents' incomes. The announcement came during a visit to Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, where Modi addressed an event marking two years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, and coincided with President Murmu's birthday.

The Solar Village Announcement

'I will make every effort to ensure that work in this direction begins immediately. Through this initiative, the people of Pahadpur will receive free solar electricity, and any surplus power generated will also help increase their income,' Modi said at the event.

Under the Surya Ghar initiative, Pahadpur will be designated a model solar-powered village. Drawing a symbolic parallel with Odisha's iconic Sun Temple at Konark, Modi expressed confidence that the village would emerge as a national model for solar adoption in rural and tribal communities.

Modi Praises President Murmu's Journey

Modi paid tribute to President Murmu on her birthday, extending greetings and offering prayers to Lord Jagannath for her long life and good health. He described her rise from a humble background in Mayurbhanj to the highest constitutional office in the country as a matter of immense pride for Odisha and for tribal communities nationwide.

'President Murmu's inspiring presence is instilling confidence and ambition among children, particularly those from tribal, underprivileged, and marginalised communities,' Modi said.

Visit to Pahadpur and Sacred Groves

Modi arrived at the Pahadpur helipad on Saturday in a special Air Force helicopter for a one-day visit to Odisha, subsequently travelling to the village in a motorcade under tight security. Together with President Murmu, he offered prayers at the sacred groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, which hold deep significance for the tribal communities of the region.

The two leaders also visited the SLS Memorial School in Pahadpur — established under President Murmu's guidance — and a skill development centre on the premises. Modi recalled interacting with students at the school, noting that Murmu's influence was visibly shaping the aspirations of the next generation.

President Murmu's Response

Speaking at the event, President Murmu said Modi's decision to visit her village demonstrated his affection for Odisha and reaffirmed his commitment to improving the lives of tribal communities across the country. Her remarks underscored the personal and political significance of the visit, which combined a governance milestone with a tribute to the President on her birthday.

Broader Significance

The Pahadpur solar initiative fits into the Centre's wider push to expand renewable energy access to rural and tribal areas under the Surya Ghar scheme. Notably, the choice of Pahadpur — a village with deep ties to India's first tribal woman President — gives the announcement both symbolic and political weight. It also comes as Odisha's BJP government completes its second year in office, with the party keen to consolidate its foothold in a state it wrested from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 2024. How quickly the solar infrastructure is deployed on the ground will determine whether the announcement translates into tangible change for Pahadpur's residents.