New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took center stage at the vibrant Odisha Parva 2024, a three-day festival organized by Odia Samaj in New Delhi, where he celebrated the state’s rich cultural heritage and unveiled a robust vision for its future development.
The event, which aims to bring the traditions and culture of Odisha closer to the Odia diaspora in the national capital, saw a lively audience as Majhi highlighted the state’s classical art forms and traditions. He thanked the President for gracing the occasion and acknowledged her deep connection with Odisha and her efforts in preserving the legacy of the state’s illustrious personalities, including Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab.
During his address, Majhi underscored Odisha’s cultural treasures, particularly the classical status of the Odia language and the Odissi dance form. He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to securing classical status for Odissi music, further enriching the state’s cultural heritage.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to outline significant initiatives launched by his government, including the establishment of a Rs. 500 crore Jagannath Temple corpus fund and the Rs. 200 crore Odia Asmita Corpus Fund. These efforts aim to bolster Odisha’s cultural landscape, alongside the development of an Odia Translation Academy and a world-class museum dedicated to palm-leaf manuscripts.
On the economic front, Majhi announced the upcoming Make in Odisha Conclave, slated for January 2025, with the goal of attracting global investors to the state. He highlighted major infrastructure projects, including over Rs. 40,000 crore allocated for roads and railways, with a projected Rs. 1 lakh crore investment over the next five years.
Reiterating the state’s growth trajectory, Majhi emphasized the vision of a “double-engine” government, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on Odisha’s development. He encouraged the community to contribute to the state’s 2036 vision of becoming a developed state, ensuring a prosperous future for the people of Odisha.
In a heartfelt conclusion, Majhi recited poetry by Sitakanta Mohapatra, urging the Odia diaspora to remain proud ambassadors of Odisha’s culture and heritage. He expressed his prayers for their success, urging them to carry a sense of pride in their Odia identity and continue to support the state’s cultural and economic journey.
The event, a confluence of culture and development, marked another milestone in Odisha’s efforts to preserve its rich traditions while pushing forward its vision for progress.