By Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his first visit to Odisha after the swearing in of the first BJP government in the State. Dressed in umber coloured Modi jacket, a confident looking PM drove straightway to Gadakana in the State Capital from the airport. The PM there attended a house entering (Griha Pravesh) ceremony of Antaryami Naik.
Later, the PM attended the launch ceremony of Subhadra Yojana – the flagship ship scheme of Odisha government and country’s one of the popular direct cash transfer scheme for women.
Addressing a large gathering of women, the Prime Minister said, “Together we have to achieve big goals. We will work to make Odisha, and the country, reach greater heights.” He then in Odia said, “ Modi ro aasha, saara bharat kohibo sunaro Odisha – It’s Modi wish, the whole of India will say ‘Golden Odisha’.”
MODI’s BLUEPRINT FOR GOLDEN ODISHA
In his public address, the PM laid out the blueprint to make ‘Golden’ Odisha. He said, “Empowering and advancing women to realise their true potential should be the basic mantra for Odisha’s development. Devi Subhadra along with Lord Jagannath amplifies this vision. The Subhadra Yojana is a milestone.”
*STRENGTHS OF ODISHA
A) Talented youth population
B) High potential of women
C) Rich natural resources
D) Big opportunities for Industries
E) Unlimited possibilities in tourism
SINGLE ENGINE POWER
For the last 10 years, PM Modi said,”We at Centre have shown the perspective and the pace of development for Odisha. My government is now provisioning 3-times the quantum of financial assistance Odisha was getting during the previous 10-year period (2004-2013).
DOUBLE ENGINE PACE
With the BJP forming government in Odisha, the PM said, “Now the flagship central schemes like Ayushman Yojana, in which it was recently decided to cover citizens aged 70 or more irrespective of income, are being implemented in Odisha.”
*Pro-poor policies framed by my government will benefit Odisha the most. The marginalised, poor and backward people in Odisha will be the top beneficiaries.
* Tribals mainstreamed; Under PMJANMAN, 13 tribes in Odisha have been identified to be covered under the scheme.
*13 lakh tribals in the country, including Odisha, screened recently under the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme for tribals.
*In next 5-years, the road and rail connectivity – considered the lifeline of high pace development – will reach new heights.
*Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will soon become a reality in Odisha.
*Also, towards the goal, the PM today dedicated to the nation, the Lanjigarh Road – Ambadola – Daikolu rail line, Laxmipur Road – Singaram- Tekari rail line, Dhenkanal – Sadashivpur – Hindol rail line. Laid the foundation stone for Jeypore – Nabarangpur rail line. The Konark –Puri line will attain greater pace.
* To boost connectivity in Paradip, the port town of Odisha, inaugurated many projects in the ceremony.
* Rapid development of modern infrastructure network in the State will have multiplier impact on the State’s development.
The BOTTOMLINE of PM MODI’s ‘Golden Odisha’ wish mainly hinges on implementing policies to give a fillip to connectivity, put to optimum utility the natural resources (mines to tourism) of the State, and create opportunities for the industries – both in secondary and services sector), along with a boost to agri productivity/income and balanced human resources development, to achieve the ‘Golden’ goal.
