Bhubaneswar: Odisha marked its 90th foundation day today with vibrant celebrations of Odia identity, pride, and ambition. For the first time, the state government hosted the state-level Odisha Day program at Satyabhamapur, the birthplace of Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das, fondly known as Madhubabu, who spearheaded the movement for Odisha’s creation as a separate state in 1936. The historic shift from the capital underscored the day’s focus on honoring the state’s roots and envisioning a prosperous future.
According to an official press release, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the event’s chief guest, described Satyabhamapur as a “sacred pilgrimage site” for Odias and announced plans to transform it into a hub of Odia nationalism. “We are celebrating Odisha Day on the village soil of Madhubabu, honoring the transformation brought by our people with a focus on Odia identity and self-respect,” he said in his address.
A key highlight was the foundation stone-laying for the “Integrated Development of Madhusudan Das’ Birthplace” project, backed by a Rs. 21 crore investment. The initiative will enhance Madhubabu’s birthplace with an interpretation center, a renovated ancestral home (Entudishala), a statue, a guest house, a library, and a light-and-sound system at a nearby water body. “The sacrifices of our great sons are debts we can never repay, but by building a prosperous Odisha, we will fulfill their dreams,” Majhi declared.
The Chief Minister rallied Odisha’s 4.5 crore residents to unite in this transformative journey, asserting that no force could halt their collective resolve. He outlined ambitious economic goals: a $500 billion economy by 2036, Odisha’s centennial, and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, positioning the state as a growth engine for a developed India.
To deepen cultural ties, Majhi launched an “Odia Fortnight” from April 1 to 14, urging citizens to embrace traditional Odia food, attire, language, and literature. “Odia identity flows in every drop of our blood. Our true wealth is our people,” he said, emphasizing the state’s unique essence.
Reflecting on history, Majhi paid tribute to luminaries like Madhusudan Das, Gangadhar Meher, Fakir Mohan Senapati, and others who fought for Odisha’s linguistic and cultural awakening. Quoting Madhubabu’s stirring call—”Utha re Utha Utkala Santana, Uthibu tu kete dine; Puruba Gaurava Puruba Sahasa, Padiba ki kebe mane!” (“Arise, arise, sons of Utkal, how long will you sleep; will the glory and courage of the past ever stir your mind!”)—he celebrated Odisha’s legacy as India’s first linguistically formed state, a model for the nation. The 1817 Paika Rebellion, led by Buxi Jagabandhu, was also hailed as a pioneering people’s uprising against British rule.
The government’s roadmap for prosperity rests on three pillars: identity, aspiration, and relentless effort. Alongside cultural preservation—evident in projects like the Odia Asmita Bhavan and Paika Rebellion Memorial—progress is underway in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The National Education Policy 2020 is driving educational reform, supported by schemes like Shishu Batika and the Chief Minister’s Poshan Yojana, which will provide midday meals to students in classes 9 and 10 starting tomorrow. Healthcare initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, aim to benefit over 3.5 crore Odias.
Infrastructure plans include 75,000 kilometers of world-class roads under the “Odisha Rajpath Pradhikaran,” while women’s empowerment through the Subhadra Yojana has already created over 10 lakh “Lakhpati Didis,” with a target of 25 lakh by 2027. Youth development is also in focus, with the “Utkarsha Odisha-Make in Odisha 2025” summit securing Rs. 17 lakh crore in investments, promising 13 lakh jobs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Purvodaya” vision was credited as a vital boost, with Odisha at its core. Earlier today, Majhi offered floral tributes at Madhubabu’s statue in Bhubaneswar before inaugurating a photo exhibition in Satyabhamapur. Messages from the President and Vice-President were read, and special editions of Utkal Prasanga and Odisha Review were unveiled.
Ministers Prithviraj Harichandan and Suryabanshi Suraj praised the event as a tribute to Odisha’s heritage and a call to live its ideals. MLAs, officials, and distinguished differently-abled individuals joined the celebrations, which concluded with a welcome address by RDC (Central) B. Parameswaran and a vote of thanks by District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde.
As Odisha steps into its 90th year, the day’s message was clear: rooted in its past, the state is poised for a transformative future.
