Bhubaneswar: Marking the 102nd birth anniversary of legendary leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, the State Government organized a Mini Marathon here today.
Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera inaugurated the marathon that was held from Forest Park to Kalinga Stadium. He said like every year, the marathon was organized to sensitize youths about the heroism of Biju Babu. Hundreds of people from all walks of life took part in the event.
On the other hand, the state also observed the day as Panchayati Raj Divas. On the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas programme at the Secretariat to reach out to the people in rural areas and involve them in developmental activities. Mobile video vans which were flagged off by the CM a few days ago would move across the State to highlight various welfare schemes.
Besides, Patnaik interacted with people’s representatives as well as common people of Sambalpur, Ganjam and Jajpur districts about their issues through video conference. The State Government would take steps to ensure immediate solutions to the problems in villages, sources added.
Besides, the Panchayati Raj Divas will also be observed in various districts across the State with several programmes to be organised to mark the day.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to pay tribute to Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary.
"Remembering the great Biju Babu on his Jayanti. He was a visionary who tirelessly served the people of Odisha and the nation. His efforts empowered lakhs of people and freed them from the clutches of poverty," Modi tweeted.
Similarly, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda also paid rich tribute to the former CM. "This tallest son of modern Odisha wd've been 102 today & was widely celebrated in several nations. Besides long family connections, it was my proud privilege to have been inducted in political work under his guidance in his last years," Panda wrote in his tweet.