Bhubaneswar, August 15: Odisha Chief Minister, in his Independence Day address, paid tribute to freedom fighters and highlighted the state government's development priorities across education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture.

Recalling India’s freedom struggle, the CM paid homage to national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, B.R. Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Maulana Azad. He also remembered Odisha’s freedom fighters, including Gopabandhu Das, Madhusudan Das, Laxman Naik, Surendra Sai, Madho Singh, Chakra Bisoi, Rendo Majhi, Ramadevi, Malati Choudhury, Harekrushna Mahatab, Biju Patnaik, Parbati Giri and Sarala Devi.

The CM highlighted Odisha’s 1817 Paika Rebellion, led by Buxi Jagabandhu and Jayi Rajguru, and recalled the Eram massacre, Ghumsar, Prajamandal, Kandha, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Koraput movements. He also paid tribute to tribal freedom fighters and security personnel who sacrificed their lives for the country.

On national development, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership with strengthening India’s economy, defence and infrastructure. He cited Swachh Bharat, Balakot air strike, Operation Sindoor and indigenous defence systems as examples of the country’s progress. He also highlighted the role of India’s young scientists and youth in nation-building.

The CM said the end of “Red Terror” has accelerated development in Odisha’s previously affected districts. He said the state government is working towards building a prosperous and developed Odisha, with focus on tribal communities, Scheduled Castes, women, farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers.

Under Mission Power, the government aims to provide roads, electricity and drinking water to every village by the end of 2027. The CM announced free KG-to-PG education, 2,200 Adarsha Primary Schools, recruitment of 26,000 teachers and plans to recruit another 45,000. Free textbooks will now also be provided to Classes IX and X.

He announced 18 new government colleges and four universities, along with new medical and nursing colleges. He said 3.70 crore people, or 80% of Odisha’s population, will benefit from Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana.

For farmers, the CM highlighted ₹3,100-per-quintal paddy procurement, ₹10,000 annual assistance under PM-KISAN and CM-KISAN, and various schemes for agriculture, fisheries and livestock.