Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched the ‘Transformed Odisha Through Folk Art’ Campaign through video conferencing. The Information, Education and Communication (IEC) program will be conducted through folk artists of the state. People will get the message of development, the message of transformed Odisha.
In this way, the public can learn about various developmental schemes and participate in government programs and become partners in development programs.
More than two lakh programs will be conducted in all the villages-51,168 for a month during this campaign. For this, 22,000 folk artist groups have been registered across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister praised the folk artists. He said that our folk artists are doing a good job.
“You are delivering the message of various welfare schemes of the government to the people. Due to this, the respect for our folk art is increasing and our artists are also earning,” he added.
Stating that they are empowering lakhs of people of the state, he added that his government is determined for the development of art and artists.
The Chief Minister also said that since 2010, the state government has formed an artist association for the development of our arts and artists. Informing that this initiative was first started in Ganjam district, he said that now it has been implemented in all districts and all blocks.
Stating that the artists’ association of our state is unique in the world, he said that today this association is moving forward with their support.
Expressing happiness that lakhs of artists are involved in information, education and communication programs, he said that all artists’ unions like Mission Shakti will be further strengthened. He said that more than two lakh awareness programs will be conducted across the state.
He congratulated all the folk artists for this.
Talking to the artists, the Chief Minister said that the artists are like members of his family. “You guys keep up the good work, I and the state government will always support you.
Attending the program, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Ashwini Patra said that Odisha is the treasure house of traditional art. The state government has taken several initiatives for the welfare of artists. This program which started from Ganjam district has turned into a movement today. Artists are also financially benefited by this.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman V K Pandian coordinated the program and said that the Chief Minister has always emphasized on two things. The first thing was respect for artists. Out of respect to them, the district administration should pay all their dues promptly. The second thing is that just as the Mission Shakti has been strengthened, the artists’ associations should be also strengthened. He said that the District Collector, BDO and the entire district administration must pay attention to this.
Explaining their experience in the program, Santosh Kumar Padhi, Vice President of Ganjam District Art and Culture Association and Fakir Badh, Vice President of Sundargarh District Art and Culture Association said that today for the Chief Minister they are getting work, earning money and getting respect.
“Because of the Chief Minister we have got a special identity. We are grateful to the Chief Minister.”
In her welcome speech, Sujatha Kartikeyan Pandian, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department said that this is a landmark initiative by the Chief Minister. This program was started to bring all the people oriented schemes of the state government to the public from 2009-10. This is a mega IEC campaign. In this, 15 schemes of 10 departments will be publicized. Through this, the state government’s welfare schemes and programs reach the people easily and conveniently.
Saroj Kumar Samal, Director, Information and Public Relations proposed the vote of thanks.
Saroj Kumar Samal, Director of Information and Public Relations gave the vote of thanks.
The artists will spread awareness regarding the government schemes and programmes through various traditional folk dance forms and songs, such as Danda Nacha, Rasa, Sani Pala, Daskathia, Sankirtan, Ghoda Nacha, Mogal Tamasha, Prahllad Natak, Suang, Ramlila, Khanjani Bhajan, Kendara song, Bhratlila, Sambalpuri dance, Ghumura dance during the campaign.
