"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.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rabindra Kumar Mohapatra will be receiving the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, as per a release by Ministry of Home Affairs New Delhi, today.
Police medal for gallantry will be awarded to Sub Inspector Bikash Patra, Havildars Bhabani Pradhan and Amit Kumar Biswal, Deputy Subedar Kiran Kumar, Sergeants Tunu Sahoo and Santanu Kumar Pradhan and Constables Manoranjan Nayak, Uday Sankar Patra, Dhaneswar Muduli, Premananda Pradhan, Mahadev Gahir, Hemanta Pradhan, Hrushikesh Jal, Raj Kishore Pradhan, Ram Chandra Hembram, Samanta Majhi and Suresh Chandra Hembram (posthumously).
Police medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS) will be awarded to eight personnel including Additional Superintendent of Police Kartikeswar Samal, Assistant Inspector General of Police Kishore Kumar Dongayat, Assistant Commandant Naresh Kumar Patel, Sub-Inspector Bijay Kishore Dash, Havildars Mohammad Sabir and Goutam Charan Swain and Constables Sagar Charan Guia and Sanjukta Pattnaik.
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According to the release, 990 personnel have been named to be awarded Police Medals.
While the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been awarded to one person, 190 have been chosen for Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), 93 for President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) and 706 personnel for Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS) from all the States.
Adding to the tally, Indrajit Rout, Warder of Athagarh Sub-Jail has been chosen to receive Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister in a tweet message congratulated police personnel, who were selected for President’s Police Medals for Distinguished, Meritorious service and Gallantry.
All the troops that will participate in the Independence Day parade on Tuesday took part in the practice today morning.
DGP KB Singh informed that for the first time ITPP, Odisha Swift Action Force, ODRAF contingents have been included in the parade. “We have been very selective in choosing the participating contingents. Last time there were 65 contingents but this year we chose 53 teams to improve quality,” said Singh.
He also said alert calls have been sent across the state to police stations and Maoist-affected areas are on high alert.
Meanwhile, Commissionerate Police has buckled up for the occasion. As many as 25 troops of Police force will be deployed at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg on August 15. Apart from this, 50 CCTV cameras are set to be installed, said senior police official.
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A total of 56 troops, from schools, colleges and police forces, will turn up for the Independence Day march. Besides, a police platoon of Telangana and the newly-formed Odisha Police troop- Swift Action Force - will participate in the march past.