LoP Naveen Patnaik welcomes President Droupadi Murmu, hails Odisha’s leadership and legacy

Before the address of the President of India- Droupadi Murmu to the Odisha Assembly on Thursday, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended a warm welcome to her on behalf of the Opposition.

Naveen said that the entire country looks upon the President for inspiration and guidance and preserving the very soul of India.

"We are proud that the daughter of the soil has become the President of this country. It is another matter of pride that she had started her political career from this Legislative Assembly 25 years earlier. She has made this soil proud by becoming the President of India. We are looking forward to hearing your address which assumes special significance in the context of the challenges that our country is facing now. Unity in diversity is the beauty of our nation. Different languages, lifestyles, customs, cultures and thoughts have contributed immensely to strengthen the Indian polity. After independence, the integration of the princely states was a great political challenge. The integration of the princely states of India first took place in Odisha with Nilgiri and others joining on the 14th of November 1947. And thus Odisha has provided the leadership to the rest of India to unite and consolidate Indian nationhood," said Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik.

Also Read: ‘Whatever I am is because of this House’: President Murmu’s emotional address in Odisha Assembly

"It is befitting to the occasion to recall the contribution of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das for creating a separate province of Odisha first time in India, for the first time on a language basis. He achieved this historic goal along with other national leaders by adopting constitutional methods. As the President of this great country, you preserve, protect and defend the constitution of India on the 75th anniversary of which is celebrated just recently. The entire country looks upon you President Madam for  inspiration and guidance and preserving the very soul of India. As you are aware Odisha has scripted history in myriad fields in the last couple of decades," he further said.

"In disaster management, food production, women empowerment, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, transformation in health and education spheres and creation of climative industrial growth, Odisha is indeed an inspiration and inspiring story. All credit for such phenomenonal growth has been possible because of the instinctive support and blessings of the people of Odisha. Our disaster management policy has become a role model for the entire country. Odisha has also got international recognition for its good work in disaster management including congratulations from the United Nations. Odisha with its rich natural resources and skilled work force has great potential for growth. We should all strive to ensure Odisha scales new heights of glory," he added.