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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid tributes to the founding fathers of our nation and the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country in his speech during the 71st Independence Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi marg here today.
"We had achieved Independence through truth and non-violence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi," said Patnaik.
Along with Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and Dr BR Ambedkar, the Chief Minister remembered the legends of Odisha - Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, Nabakrushna Choudhury, Gopabandhu Choudhury, Veer Surendra Sai, Saheed Laxman Nayak, Rama Devi, Malati Choudhury, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, Biju Patnaik and Parbati Giri.
Patnaik said that Odisha is celebrating the 200 years of Paika Rebellion in the current year and termed it as the first war of Independence against the British Rule. On this occasion he paid homage to legendary freedom fighter Buxi Jagabandhu and the Paikas.
In 70 years of Independence, India has made its presence known as a democratic and developing country. Poverty has reduced by 25 percent due to various schemes of Odisha government, said the CM.
“As per report of Niti Aayog, Odisha is top in the country in terms of poverty reduction,” he added.
Patnaik further stated, “Poverty will reduce at a faster pace in coming five years because of various schemes of our government. It will be completely eradicated by 2036 when Odisha will be celebrating 100 years of its formation as a separate State."
The Chief Minister also remembered the farmers of the country and said the Odisha Government will always stand with them to provide their rights as they are backbone of a nation's economy.
