As we approach the end of 2024, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the year’s significant events, achievements, and challenges. This year has been marked by notable advancements in technology, shifts in politics, and ongoing discussions around women’s empowerment and industrial development in Odisha. From major sporting events to cultural milestones and economic trends, 2024 has been a year of resilience and innovation, shaping our state.
Odisha is expected to continue its focus on economic growth, cultural preservation, and improvements in infrastructure. Here are the top 6 events (non-political) that marked Odisha’s journey in 2024:
Krushi Odisha 2024 (Jan 12-14, 2024)
The Odisha Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department organised ‘Krushi Odisha-2024’ from the January 12 to 14 at the Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.
The theme for this event was ‘Celebrating Women in Agriculture’, aiming to recognise the contribution of women in the field of agriculture and allied sectors and to initiate a platform for interface and linkage amongst women farmers, SHGs, women agri-entrepreneurs, market players, service providers, agri-preneurs (Industry) and to showcase best products and practices of women farmers leading to farm profitability.
This 3-day programme by the Government of Odisha showcases the great potential of the state and huge investment opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, food Processing, Fisheries and animal husbandry sectors.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik graced the inaugural ceremony of Krushi Odisha-2024 in the greater interest of the farming community as well people of Odisha. Around 5, 000 farm women, 2,000 women SHGs, and agri-entrepreneurs from different corners of the state participated in this event and successful women farmers and SHGs were felicitated.
The event had 17 technical sessions in coordination with different state government departments, Central government, ICAR institutes, CGIAR institutions, and NGOs along with farmer-scientist interactions, seminars, farmer facilitation centre, experience learning centre, display of farm machinery, exhibition stalls on the farm produces, felicitation of awardees for women farmers and women SHGs.
To make Krushi Odisha-2024 more eventful, quizzes, lectures, experimental water games, local farmer songs, storytelling, and postcard exchange, the Farmer Facilitation Centre, and the Experimental Learning Centre were organised.
Puri Srimandir Parikrama Project (Jan 17, 2024)
The then Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the ‘Srimandir Parikrama’ project, which aims at providing improved amenities for devotees around the Jagannath Temple in Puri on January 17, 2024.
The Rs 800-crore project was unveiled by Patnaik in the presence of Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Divyasingha Deb and representatives of about 90 temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Mahakal Temple in Ujjain and the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal.
The 75-metre-wide heritage corridor around the temple includes a green buffer zone, a reception area for 6,000 devotees, the Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, multi-level car parking, dedicated pedestrian path and public convenience zones.
The project, which was announced in December 2019, was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the issuance of draft by-laws by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) for the temple in January 2021 that prohibited any construction within the 100-metre periphery of the temple. However, the bylaws were withdrawn after a request from Patnaik.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed two PILs challenging the renovation project, calling it “frivolous litigation”.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government had launched statewide promotion campaigns ahead of the inauguration. The government had declared a statewide holiday on Wednesday for the inauguration of the project.
Apart from that, screens were set up in panchayats and in block headquarters to telecast the event and special buses plied from different parts of the state to Puri for devotees to take part in the event.
After inaugurating the project, Chief Minister Patnaik said in a post on X, “Many people have dedicated and worked hard for this project in devotion to Lord Shri Jagannath. The Odia people will never forget the endless sacrifice of Puri people in particular. It is the project of our Lord, the symbol of the faith of every orthodox, every devotee. Jai Jagannath.”
Biswa Odia Bhasa Sammilani (Feb 3 – 5, 2024)
The first Biswa Odia Bhasa Sammilani will be held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar from February 3 to 5, 2024. Four halls named after Adikabi Sarala Das, Atibadi Jagannath Das, Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja, and Byasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati witnessed diverse discussions on the relevant topics related to the Odia language in various fields during these three days.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the ‘Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani’ with the singing of ‘Bande Utkala Janani’, the state anthem of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said the state government will accept the recommendations of the conference and formulate a dedicated language policy for the state, which will pave the way for the future development of Odia language.
Modern culture and technology has an impact on the language. Therefore, there is a need for detailed discussion on all aspects of the language. There should be a thorough discussion on the creation of good literature and for better use of the Odia language, he suggested.
Expressing pleasure over the recognition of Odia language as a classical language, the chief minister said that language is the future. The state government has set up Odia University for the development of Odia language and promoting Odia language study. Renowned Odia author and linguist Debi Prasanna Pattanayak was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Odia language and linguistics. He has been felicitated with a memento and cash award of Rs 20 lakh. Patnaik also felicitated Odia writers Pratibha Ray and Sitakant Mahapatra during the inaugural function.
A walk-through museum has also been set up to showcase the history of Odia language. International delegation from four countries, language experts from different parts of India and 20 Odia associations attended the conference.
Odisha Launches ‘Subhadra Yojana’ (Sept 17, 2024)
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched ‘Subhadra Yojana’, the flagship scheme of Government of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar on his birthday on September 17. It is the largest, single women-centric scheme and is aimed to cover more than 1 crore women. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also initiated the fund transfer into the bank accounts of more than 10 lakh women.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the new BJP government has fulfilled its promise made in its poll manifesto and given the gift of Subhadra Yojana to the mothers and sisters of Odisha. He added that more than 1 crore women of Odisha will benefit from this.
Under the Subahdra Yojana, all eligible beneficiaries between the age of 21-60 years would receive Rs 50,000 over a period of 5 years between 2024-25 to 2028-29. An amount of Rs 10,000 per annum in two equal installments will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-enabled and DBT-enabled bank account.
So far, the yojana has delivered its first installment of Rs 5,000 to around 80 lakh beneficiaries in three phases. Under this programme, officials have geared up for the fourth phase transfer of the first installment to beneficiaries by January 2025, Odisha government previously informed.
59th DG-IGP Conference Bhubaneswar (Nov 29-30)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the three-day 59th DGs and IGs conference at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on November 29, 2024. The meet was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSG Ajit Doval and 85 delegates from across the country.
The meet held discussions on important issues such as counter terrorism, Left Wing Extremism (LWE), coastal security, new criminal laws, and narcotics drugs, among others.
The conference provided an interactive platform to senior officers and security administrators to freely discuss and debate over diverse national security-related issues as well as various operational, infrastructural and welfare-related problems faced by the police in the country.
During the event, discussions were held on the formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges related to crime control and law and order management, besides internal security threats.
This year, some unique features were added to the conference. The entire day was effectively utilised starting from yoga/ business/ break-out sessions and thematic dining tables providing senior officers an opportunity to present their perspectives and suggestions on critical policing and internal security matters that impact the country.
The President’s Police Medal for distinguished service will also be awarded during the conference.
The DG-IG conference is being organised for the first time in Odisha and the capital city is on high alert as Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened to disrupt the meet.
In a video message, Pannun who heads the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit, urged his supporters to disguise and take cover in temples-hotels in Bhubaneswar to disrupt the DG-IG conference.
Indian Navy Day At Puri (Dec 4)
The Indian Navy displayed its operational prowess and capabilities through an ‘Operational Demonstration’ that covered many facets of naval operations by ships, submarines, aircraft, marine commandos and Indian Army personnel at the pristine Blue Flag Beach, Puri, Odisha, on December 4, 2024.
President of India and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Droupadi Murmu, was the chief guest at the event, which was hosted by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. The event was also witnessed by senior Central and State Government officials, military dignitaries, and the local populace.
The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on December 4 commemorate Operation Trident, the audacious attack on Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pak War in 1971.
The Op Demo aimed to bring focus to the Navy’s rich maritime history and demonstrated the valour and courage of its personnel and their resolve to safeguard national maritime interests anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
The event also showcased the Indian Navy’s state-of-the-art ships and aircraft to the spectators and online viewers through live streaming on Doordarshan channels.
The Op Demo saw the participation of 15 warships, aircraft comprising MiG 29K and MH 60R, along with combat beach reconnaissance by the Marine Commandos of the Indian Navy. Other major attractions included performances by the Naval Band, Continuity Drill, and Horn Pipe Dance by SCC Cadets. The event culminated with the illumination of ships at anchorage followed by a laser and drone show at the beach.
This was the second time that the Indian Navy had organised a mega event at a location other than a major naval station. Blue Flag Beach, Puri, is about 200 km from the nearest Naval Station at INS Chilka.
