The State Government has decided to reach out to farmers, youths and women of the State during year-long birth centenary celebrations of Biju Patnaik to spread the message of courage, conviction and dedication. .
“They (farmers, youths and women) are the driving force of the country and the message of Biju Patnaik’s contribution towards development of Odisha must reach them,” said deputy chief of the Biju Patnaik Birth Centenary Coordination Committee Tathagata Satpathy while attending a meeting here on Monday. The meeting discussed various programmes undertaken by various departments for celebrations at the block and district levels.
“This apart, plans have also been drawn up for observation of the centenary in foreign countries, including Indonesia, the UK, the US and Russia,” said a member of the committee.
Among others, Ministers Pranab Prakash Das, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Arun Sahoo, Prdeep Panigrahy and Debi Prasad Misha and Kandhamal MP Pratyusha Rajeswari attended the meeting.
Official sources said the Information and Public Relations Department would prepare a calendar after all departments submit their lists of programmes.
The Government, however, has made no special budgetary provision for the purpose in its recently-tabled Annual Budget 2016-17.
The Departments of Panchayati Raj, School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Skill Development and Technical Education, MSME, Industries, Rural Development, Energy and Health and Family Welfare would organize workshops, exhibitions and interactive sessions on Biju Patnaik’s role in development of the State, the sources said.