Bhubaneswar: The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour across Odisha on Sunday. Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal unfurled the Tricolour and took salute of the parade at the State-level parade held at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also attended the State-level Republic Day celebrations in the Capital city. This was for the first time that Patnaik did not unfurl the National Flag and take salute during the Republic Day celebrations, which he earlier used to do in Cuttack.
In a video message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid rich tributes freedom fighters and martyred soldiers and urged people to work towards development of the State.
Elaborate security arrangements were made for the Republic Day celebrations by Odisha Police today. Nearly 48 contingents, special tableaus and other cultural programmes were organised during the State-level parade held in Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar Traffic DCP Sagarika Nath lead the parade during the State-level Republic Day celebrations at Bhubaneswar today.
State Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari hoisted the Tricolour and took salute of the parade at Barabati stadium in Cuttack. Addressing the occasion, Pujari paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters and other legendary sons for their contribution towards country’s freedom.
Pujari also highlighted the achievements of the State government towards the welfare of the people in the State.
“Odisha has seen tremendous growth in the field of agriculture, education, health and other sectors. Small and marginal farmers are getting benefits from the KALIA scheme while other schemes for development of education and other sectors have also been launched,” said Pujari.
Pujari further reiterated State government’s plans for the development of Cuttack and informed that a lot of programmes have been undertaken in this regard. Special projects to add ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural, aspirational and technological values will come up on 424-acre land near Mahanadi river.
“Apart from the mega expansion of SCB, Odisha government is preparing a decongestion Plan for Millennium City including six-laning of Ring Road,” Pujari added.