THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 30: Governor Raghubar Das today said that Odisha has immense possibilities for development. “It can come under the category of developed states with proper utilisation of its natural resources and minerals,” he added.
Addressing Odisha Nirman Conclave-2023 organised by Kanak News, Das stressed on development of the state in all sectors including industries, tourism, women empowerment, and education.
“If we want to develop Odisha, the growth of industries along with agriculture is necessary. An investor invests where the law and order are good, the environment is friendly, governance is transparent, and administration integrates with the single window system. Along with industries, we should emphasize four things — agriculture and livestock, construction, IT and tourism,” Das, a former Jharkhand chief minister, said.
The Governor talked about women’s empowerment, lauding the contribution of women in many sectors of the country.
“We need to focus on women’s empowerment. Without women’s empowerment, neither the state nor the nation can move forward,” Das said.
Addressing guests at the 8th edition of Odisha Nirman Conclave of Sambad Group, the Governor simultaneously focused on the development of youth power and education and villages in the state.
“To develop the youth of the state, we need to provide them employment, make them skilled and earnable. There is a need to establish world-class educational institutions including universities. The development should not be restricted to only towns and cities, rather there should be development in all the districts. We need to focus on rural development. If we set up village industries, no poor villager will leave his/her place in search of jobs outside. We need to be concerned about the development of poor, downtrodden and tribals as well,” Das said.
Praising the initiatives of Sambad Group for organising such an event, he said, “As building Odisha is our top priority, this might be the objective of Odisha Nirman Conclave.”
Pratap Keshari Deb, the Minister of Energy, Industries and MSME in Odisha Government, who attended the programme, highlighted Odisha’s rich maritime history that proved that the state was into foreign trade 1500 years ago.
“We were into maritime trade centuries ago. We had been trading with Java, Sumatra, Bali. To mark this, we are now celebrating the day as Boita Bandana. Therefore, business is not new to us, it is in our blood. Odisha can be developed if everyone will have growth in education, health, economy and personality. Today, there is a need for self-employment along with employment,” he said.
Tanaya Patnaik, Editor of Sambad, Odisha’s leading daily, delivered the welcome address at the event.
On the special occasion, she recalled the statement of former Odisha Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal, who had expressed about his dream to know the dream of youth and students about Odisha at 6th edition of Odisha Nirman Conclave.
“Prof. Ganeshi Lal had said, I have a dream of what the students and youth of Odisha are dreaming about Odisha. It is only the Sambad family that can go to every nook and corner of the state and collect the views of the students in this regard. By saying this, he expressed confidence in Sambad Group. We had accepted that challenge and gathered feedback from students about what they dreamt of Odisha through a survey in every block of the state,” Patnaik said.
However, it is not the responsibility of the government alone to build Odisha, she said.
“It is the responsibility of all of us to build Odisha. Everything is there in Odisha. Lord Jagannath has given us everything. We have property under the ground and on the ground. Then why haven’t we reached where we are supposed to? There is lacuna somewhere. The stage for Odisha Nirman is a platform for discussion, criticism and possibility,” she added.
Talking about Governor Raghubar Das, she said that his journey is an inspiration for everyone.
“Raghubar Das was the Chief Minister of tribal dominated Jharkhand state in 2014. At that point of time, he being the first non-tribal chief minister of the state, there were a lot of challenges in front of him, also had detractors who thought that it will not be possible for him to run the state smoothly. But, he proved everybody wrong. He was the first CM of Jharkhand after the creation of the state to have completed full term. This was the proof of his skills and talent. His journey from a labourer to the Chief Minister is definitely an inspiration for all of us. Having vast experience in life, his suggestions and guidance will encourage Odisha and Sambad family,” Patnaik said.