Bhubaneswar, August 15: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Saturday extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Odisha and the nation, paying tribute to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices helped India achieve independence.

In his message, Majhi paid homage to the “unsung heroes, known and unknown” whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism contributed to India’s freedom struggle. He said that although the contributions of many such heroes may not always find a place in history books, their sacrifices continue to live on in the freedom enjoyed by the country.

Majhi called upon citizens to honour their legacy by serving the nation with unity, integrity and determination. He also reiterated the vision of building a prosperous Odisha alongside a developed India.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida extended her greetings and best wishes to the people on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also paid tribute to the countless martyrs whose sacrifices, he said, gave the country freedom and dignity. He noted that eight decades of resilience, progress and unity have shaped India into a strong democracy.

Singh Deo said the Independence Day occasion was an opportunity to renew the nation’s commitment to justice, liberty and equality. He said Odisha remained firmly committed to the vision of a developed India in which every citizen could share in the country’s prosperity.

In his message, Singh Deo urged citizens to remember the great patriots, martyrs and freedom fighters whose sacrifices and struggles enabled India to emerge as a free, democratic and sovereign nation.

He also appealed to people to rise above differences of language, religion and caste and work towards preserving the country’s unity and integrity. He stressed that every citizen should contribute sincerely in their respective fields to the progress of the nation.

Calling for a collective resolve, Singh Deo urged citizens to work towards building a prosperous, empowered, self-reliant and developed India.

“Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! Vande Mataram!” he said.