CM Highlights Odisha’s Transformation Story at ‘India Today’ Conclave

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday elucidated the transformation story of Odisha despite all odds at the State Conclave Odisha 2024 organised by India Today Group. While discussing the state’s remarkable transformation, the CM said that Odisha is celebrating success in multiple fields rather than dwelling on the pains of the past. “Many devastating natural disasters tested our resilience, but through timely preparedness and swift action, we emerged stronger. From a state of helplessness and despondency in the face of vagaries of nature, we stood stronger and showed the world how to save lives,” Patnaik said while addressing the conclave. Pointing out the State’s courage and preparedness in saving lives during COVID-19, Naveen said that the State supplied oxygen to various states apart from saving lives across Odisha. The CM said that Odisha which had a zero investment two decades ago, has now emerged as a favourite destination for investment. “Apart from emerging as a prime destination for manufacturing, we are attracting investment in several frontier technologies including semiconductors. Today, Odisha is the Aluminum Capital of South Asia and the Steel Hub of the country,” he claimed. Naveen recollected the days when he assumed charge of the chief minister that Odisha was in a severe financial mess. But, the State is now known across the country for its excellence in fiscal management. Two decades ago, Odisha evoked the picture of abject poverty and malnutrition. KBK region was glamorized in media as a postcard of poverty, mal-nutrition. But now this region is scaling new peaks of development every day-emerging as a rice bowl of the country, Patnaik pointed out. “We have managed to reduce multidimensional poverty in Odisha by 48 percent in the last decade alone. More than one crore people escaped poverty during this period,” he added. From a ship-to-mouth situation, we have come a long way to become the third-largest contributor to the nation’s PDS. Odisha also transformed the sports ecosystem emerging as a model in sports development from a non-existent player, he maintained. “When our national hockey teams reached the podium after more than four decades in the Olympics, Odisha also basked in the glory of the nation with its partnership”, he said. Naveen also underlined Odisha’s Mission Shakti in empowering women and making them entrepreneurs. He also lauded his party for keeping one-third seat reservation for women in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. More than 50 per cent of women are getting elected to grassroots democratic institutions, he told the gathering. Patnaik further highlighted his government’s initiative to ensure better health care for all. The poorest person is not scared by the cost of treatment due to the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. The CM pointed out the school transformation with modern facilities and technologies. “When we embarked on this journey of transformation, we made people as partners in progress. Banking on the principles of 5T, our singular vision is A New Odisha, an Empowered Odisha,” he signed off.

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