Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday said that B. R. Ambedkar is “not just a name, but an ideology that shows the path of equality,” while addressing the state-level celebration of the Bharat Ratna awardee’s birth anniversary at Jayadev Bhavan.
Announcing a major initiative, the Chief Minister said an Ambedkar Bhawan will be constructed at Kharavel Nagar in Bhubaneswar and directed the General Administration Department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project.
Describing the creation of an equal and just society as the greatest tribute to Ambedkar, Majhi highlighted the social reformer’s lifelong struggle against discrimination and his emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment. He said the Constitution framed under Ambedkar’s leadership guarantees equal rights and justice to every citizen.
The Chief Minister underlined that the upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and backward classes in the state has been made possible due to Ambedkar’s vision. “A prosperous Odisha is not possible without the development of the most backward sections of society,” he said.
Highlighting welfare measures, Majhi said that more than ₹6,649 crore has been allocated in the 2026–27 state budget for the development of SC and ST communities, with focused interventions in education, healthcare, and livelihood. He added that special attention is being given to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Calling the new reservation system in engineering and medical education a “historic step,” the Chief Minister said talent transcends caste and religion, and equitable opportunities can enable all sections to progress.
On food security, he said it forms the foundation of social justice, noting that the ‘Mukhyamantri Annapurna’ scheme is benefiting millions across the state.
Referring to national developments, Majhi said Ambedkar was conferred the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990 and alleged that his contributions had been neglected earlier. He credited Narendra Modi with restoring Ambedkar’s legacy, citing the development of five sites associated with the leader’s life as ‘Panchteerth.’
The Chief Minister also felicitated winners of various state-level competitions organised by the Information and Public Relations Department during the event.
Among those present were Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Niali MLA Chhabi Mallick, noted educationist Purnachandra Mallick, and Additional Chief Secretary of the I&PR Department Hemant Sharma, among others.
