Bhubaneswar, April 1 (IANS). Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his warm wishes on the occasion of ‘Utkal Diwas’.
Responding to PM Modi’s letter, CM Majhi said, “On this auspicious occasion of Utkal Diwas, I express my deep gratitude to you on behalf of the people of Odisha. Your warm wishes and the beautiful manner in which you have appreciated the glorious history and civilizational heritage of our state means a lot to us. Your words have deeply touched the heart of every Odia (Odisha).”
The Chief Minister further said that PM Modi’s unbreakable bond with Odisha has always been a source of inspiration. He also said that the cultural connect between Gujarat and Odisha, reflected in the shared heritage of Sun Temples and the sacred tradition of Rath Yatra, highlights the civilizational threads that unify the entire nation.
He also said that PM Modi’s personal participation in the ‘Pahandi’ ritual during the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is a living testimony of this precious cultural unity.
Majhi said, “Under your visionary leadership, the Central Government’s unwavering support for the development of Odisha has been extremely transformative. The record allocation of Rs 10,600 crore in the railway sector for the year 2025-26, coupled with a special emphasis on port-led development, are all poised to position Odisha as a leading maritime and industrial hub.”
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modi’s appreciation of the efforts of the Odisha Government under ‘Subhadra Yojana’ and ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative is a great boost to the ‘Nari Shakti’ movement. As Odisha moves towards completing its 100 years as a distinct and glorious State, the Government reiterates its resolve to realize the dream of ‘Developed Odisha’ to build a ‘Developed India’.
Majhi said, “The preservation of Odia identity, that is, our language, our culture and our identity, is the fundamental basis of our governance. With the divine blessings of Lord Jagannath and the collective will of the people, Odisha will touch new heights of prosperity and progress. We are fully committed to continue on the path of development in full partnership with the Government of India.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi greeted people on the occasion of ‘Odisha Day’ on Wednesday and said the state stands proudly as an ‘eternal symbol’ of culture and ‘spiritual greatness’.
–IANS
ASH/ABM