Launching the three-day ‘Kalahandi Dialogue’, a global conclave on development, on Friday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hailed the people of Kalahandi for making the district a green basket of Odisha.
He also launched a slew of projects for the district on the occasion. District Magistrate Dr Parag Harshad Gavali introduced the proposed projects and thanked the CM for taking proactive action to expedite the development of Kalahandi.
Urban Development and Water Resources Minister Niranjan Pujari asserted that the Kalahandi Dialogue is the right platform to celebrate the glory of Kalahandi.
Minister of Health, Law, I and PR Pratap Jena assured to complete the Kalahandi Medical College and Hospital in two years.
Minister of SC and ST, Minorities and Backward Classes Development Ramesh Majhi highlighted the beauty and uniqueness of Kalahandi.
Chairperson of Kalahandi Dialogue Sujeet Kumar delivered the welcome address. He explained the reason behind creating this collaborative platform to engage the youths in development dialogue and action.
Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Council Subroto Bagchi shared several examples of entrepreneurs from Kalahandi to highlight to the contribution they are making to the socio-economic transformation of the district.
The first plenary had brilliant minds sharing their personal experiences and setting expectations for the three-day dialogue. Prof Surendranath Pashupalak, VC OUAT, shared the glorious history of Kalahandi where the region was known for rice cultivation and thanked the collaborative efforts of Government and farmers.
Joining the event, Rwandan High Commission to India Ernest Rwamucyo argued that development is an ongoing and multi-stakeholder process attending the event. He shared his experience of work in Africa and Asia. He compared Kalahandi of the past and Kalahandi of the present.
Among others, Chairman of India Centre Foundation Vaibhav Kant Upadhyay, former Press Secretary to President KR Narayanan Satyanarayan Sahu and Group President of Reliance Industries, Bijay Sahoo also spoke.
Folk singer Sarbeswar Bhoi, mountaineer Jogabyasa Bhoi, poet Jaidrath Jena and chess player Saundarya Pradhan were felicitated on the occasion.
