Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday appealed to the people of State to be aware of their responsibilities along with their rights under democratic set up and said development of rural and urban areas is essential to achieve an inclusive growth.
“Development of poor, youth, women, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled castes, student and differently-abled persons are required for an inclusive growth,” said Patnaik after unfurling the National Flag here at the State level parade at Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
Stating that Odisha has around 50,000 villages and 100 towns where development work is important, Patnaik said improvement in infrastructure in rural areas will give a boost to agriculture and allied sectors.
The Chief Minister, who refrained from speaking on the achievements of his Government in view of the model code of conduct implemented for the ensuing urban polls, said “Independence is all about responsibility and commitment. Our goal should be to make India stronger and Odisha prosperous.”
Recalling contribution of Odia martyrs in the freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said the first voice of revolt against the British Raj was raised from the soil of Odisha in 1817. “The British Rule could not be established in Odisha till 1803,” he lamented.
Similarly, Governor Dr SC Jamir paid floral tributes to armed forces at Amar Jawan War Memorial post in the CRPF campus in the State capital.
Orissa High Court Chief Justice C Nagappan hoisted the National Flag in court premises. Revenue Minister SN Patro unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the parade held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Health Minister Dr Damodar Rout hoists the tricolour and took salute at the parade held in Puri while Excise Minister Niranjan Pujari hoisted the National Flag at Koraput.
While the Independence Day celebrations in Odisha’s major towns and cities were observed amidst tight security, the Red rebels took liberty to unfurl black flags in certain Maoist-infested districts, including Malkangiri.
The Maoists reportedly unfurled black flags at Pansaput village under Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri while they hoisted black flag near a college at Kalimela town in the district. “The police immediately removed the black flags at Kalimela,” a senior police officer said.
Similarly, reports of black flags being flown in other districts were also received, sources said, adding that the Maoists had given a call to boycott Independence Day celebrations in the State.