Bhubaneswar, Sep 21:In a gesture that reflected his grassroots approach to leadership, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chose to wind down after a high-energy youth event not in an office or press room, but over a humble cup of tea with the people. Following the ‘Namo Yuva Run’ in Bhubaneswar, Majhi made an impromptu stop at the bustling Arjun Tea Stall near Mayfair Chhak, where he mingled with locals, listened to their concerns, and shared heartfelt conversations — reinforcing his belief that true leadership begins with staying connected to the people.
While sharing tea and conversations with residents, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of staying connected with the people.
“After attending the Namo Yuva Run event, I visited Mayfair Chhak and interacted with citizens on various issues. The love and support of the people are my true strength. I consider myself one among you, which is why I always make it a point to stay in touch,” said Majhi.
Earlier in the day, Majhi had flagged off the ‘Namo Yuva Run’, a large-scale youth event jointly organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department and the BJP Yuva Morcha. The run, which began at Kalinga Stadium and concluded at Janata Maidan, saw an enthusiastic turnout of approximately 10,000 young participants.
The event was also attended by Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, MLAs Babu Singh and Siddhant Mahapatra, along with other senior leaders.
Held across 75 cities nationwide, the ‘Namo Yuva Run’ was part of a broader campaign marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The initiative aimed to inspire the youth to lead a drug-free lifestyle and contribute to building a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous nation.
One of the highlights of the event was the participation of 75-year-old Urmila Das, who ran alongside the younger crowd, drawing widespread admiration. To encourage participation, cash prizes of ₹25,000, ₹15,000, ₹10,000, and ₹5,000 were awarded to the top four finishers.