Odisha CM Welcomes 39 Sportspersons Into State Police Force

Bhubaneswar: A total of 39 meritorious sportspersons – 30 women and 9 men — of Odisha were inducted into the state Police Service on Saturday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who joined the induction programme on virtual platform, welcomed them to the police force and said that the state will continue to support sportspersons in every possible manner to enable them achieve their dreams.

“It’s a big moment for you to join a job and share the responsibilities of your families. I am sure your parents and families are proud of your achievement. It requires lot of passion, discipline and hard work to excel in sports,” Naveen said.

“The youth are the future of our state. Sports is the best way to teach good virtues and channelize the energies of youth in a positive manner. Therefore, investment in sports is investment in youth. Investment in youth is investment in the future of this state,” he added, emphasizing that the state will produce many successful sportspersons, and make Odisha and India proud.

As many as 96 sportspersons were inducted into Odisha Police in six phases previously.

Saying that his government has embarked on a journey to make Odisha a sports powerhouse, the CM pointed out that Odisha has featured prominently in the sports sector in the country over the last few years.

“We have successfully hosted a number of national and international events. Hockey World Cup 2018 and Asian Athletics championship 2017 have been a great success for the state,” he recalled, adding that over Rs 1000 crore is being invested in developing sports infrastructure across the state which includes India’s largest upcoming hockey stadium in Rourkela for the 2023 Hockey World Cup.

Naveen mentioned Odisha’s para athletes who also have been performing well at the international level, with Arjuna awardee Pramod Bhagat being a medal hope in the Paralympics.

“We would like to continue to financially support our para athletes and also provide job-related support for them to excel in the sports field,” the CM assured.

Naveen launches expansion of E-FIR for public place theft

The Chief Minister also launched the extension of e-FIR under the 5T initiative for public place theft. The initiative will help people in lodging FIR relating to chain snatching, laptop, mobile theft, etc. at public places.

They need not go to any police station, and can lodge an FIR from any place any time in virtual police station at State Crime Record Bureau. The complainant will get an SMs alert on the progress of the investigation.

Among senior officials present at the virtual programme were DGP Abhay, Principal Secretary Sports Vishal Dev, 5T Secretary VK Pandian, Director Intelligence Lalit Das and ACS Home Sanjeev Chopra.