Formed as the first Linguistic State in India on April 1, 1936, Odisha continues to march ahead. The State having vast natural resources, cultural heritage and tourism potential, has managed to create a buzz across the world.

Our forefathers made great efforts to achieve freedom for us. Their relentless struggle resulted in a separate Odisha State in 1936. Odisha with its special identity, language, culture and heritage, established itself in the global arena.

Over the last 20 years, Odisha has been rising thanks to the visionary leadership of CM Shri Naveen Patnaik. He emerged as the invincible leader in the State by winning people’s trust and respect.

We should never forget the contribution of Legends like Utkala Gourav Madhusudan Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Deb, Utakalamani Gopabandhu Das, Byasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati, Maharaja Srirama Chandra Bhanjadeo, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, Shri Nabakrushna Choudhuri, Shri Biju Patnaik and others in building the Modern Odisha.

Similarly, we can’t forget the role played by Shri Naveen Patnaik in establishing Odisha as a State that became a role model across the globe in disaster management. The horror of 1999 Super Cyclone is behind. We are now well equipped to fight the natural disaster and save human lives.

Odisha is making strides in all aspects. Our State which now has India’s Largest Hockey Stadium has become the Sports Capital of India. We are hosting the Hockey World Cup for the second time in a row, had set up many Centres of Sports Excellence, received the accolade for the iconic Kalinga Stadium, and sponsoring National Sports Teams.

Development, Cultural Values, Peace & Communal Harmony are an integral part of our ‘Rising Odisha’. No development is possible without peace and harmony. Let’s pledge to uphold those and march ahead.