With lockdowns in 2020 and the devastating second wave of the Covid pandemic in 2021, 2022 was ushered in amid uncertainties and legitimate concerns about the restoration of normalcy. But, 2022 turned out to be eventful and glorious for Odisha for reasons plenty. From the country getting its first Odia President to Bhubaneswar hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, here’s a quick recap of Odisha’s 2022 event’s diary:
First Odia, a tribal woman appointed President of India
On July 25, 2022, 64-year-old Droupadi Murmu assumed office as India’s first tribal President as well as the first Odia and second female to hold the highest office of the world’s largest republic.
The former governor of Jharkhand, Murmu, a leader from the grassroots, has also served as a minister in Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet in the past. She is also the youngest person to occupy the post and the first President born in Independent India. Her appointment is a matter of pride for Odisha and Odias.
CM Naveen abolishes the contractual employment system
On October 15, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s government took a significant decision by abolishing the contractual recruitment system which had been in practice since 2013, permanently in the State.
As per a Government estimate, 57,000 contractual employees will benefit from the abolition, and Odisha will spend ₹1,300 crore annually. In 2013, the state government notified the Odisha Group-C and Group-D posts (contractual employment) Rules. The announcement came as a Diwali gift for thousands of contractual employees in Odisha.
Sand removal from Konark Sun temple, after a century
In September this year, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began the process to remove the sand packed inside the Jagamohan of the 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark.
The interior of the Jagamohan was filled up with river sand 119 years ago by the Britishers to check the collapse of the structure. Sun Temple, the only Unesco heritage site of Odisha, had a main sanctum santorum (viman), which fell in 1837. The main mandap-audience hall (Jagamohan), which is about 128 feet tall, still stands and is the principal structure.
Make In Odisha Conclave 2022
Odisha managed to bag investment intents worth over Rs 10 lakh crore at its flagship three-day business conclave – Make in Odisha Conclave 2022.
The state has received investment intents to the tune of Rs 10.50 lakh crore (through 741 proposals) at the third edition of the business conclave held in the capital city. If implemented, this investment would generate employment for 19,37,701 people in the state. The investment proposals have been received in different 21 sectors.
Odisha Hosts FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Odisha, the uncontested sports capital of India, added another feather to its cap by hosting the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as Bhubanesewar’s iconic Kalinga Stadium was one of the three venues for the tournament. The first five matches of this international tournament were played in Kalinga Stadium between 11 and 17 October.
Apart from Bhubaneswar, the matches were also played at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao in south Goa, and DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Spain U-17 Women won the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, defeating Colombia U-17 Women at the DY Patil Sports Stadium in Mumbai. This was Spain’s second title, while Nigeria and Germany ended third and fourth respectively.
