Bhubaneswar: Sunday marked the beginning of the Odia Kartik month and the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Kartik Brat for Habishyali mothers who have gathered in Puri through video conferencing on this occasion.
The Chief Minister wished the devotees for their fasting in the holy month and said, “You should fast well and fast in peace. Get the blessings of the Lord. If you are blessed, entire Odisha will be blessed.”
Stating that Kartik month is Dharma month and very sacred, he said that he fully believes that Habishyali mothers will observe Kartik Brat with joy in this month.
Stating that all arrangements have been made for the convenience of women, the Chief Minister said that arrangements have been made for more than 3,000 mothers. From accommodation to seeing the Lord, eating Mahaprasad – everything has been arranged. He said that the district administration is fully ready to serve the mothers.
Attending the programme, the Minister of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Ashwini Patra said that keeping the vision of the Chief Minister, all the facilities have been made available for the women. District administration, temple administration, servants, volunteers are all providing support.
Sports Minister Tusar Kanti Behera said that the Chief Minister is a role model for all in women-centric welfare schemes. Owing to the strong leadership of the Chief Minister, today Odisha is the leader in the development of women’s power.
In this programme, Ahalya Acharya of Cuttack, Parvati Harijan of Nabarangpur and Radha Devi Panda of Ganjam, prominent Habishyali mothers narrated their experiences and said that earlier they were facing many difficulties during Kartik Brat. Now, the Chief Minister has provided all the facilities for them, including lodging, food, and bhajan kirtan. They wished the Chief Minister a long and healthy life.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian conducted the programme.
It is worth noting that during the month of Kartik in Puri, devotees from all over the state come to observe Kartik Vrat. Sensing their plight, the Chief Minister started the Habishyali Yojana from 2016. A seven-storey building has been constructed for their accommodation since last year. It is named as Bandavati residence.
Among others, Nimapada MLA Sameer Ranjan Das, Puri MLA Jayant Kumar Shadangi, District Council Chairperson Svaldarani Swaymen, Dr Suresh Chandra Dahai, Central Revenue Officer, Shrimandir Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das, and other members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) attended the programme.
