Sambalpur: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan celebrated Nuakhai at Maa Samaleswari Temple in Odisha’s Sambalpur on Sunday.
Prior to partaking the sacred ‘Nabanna’ (season’s first crop) at the shrine, Majhi, who arrived in the city on a two-day visit, offered prayers to the presiding deity. His wife also joined him in the celebration at the temple. “I took blessings of Maa Samaleswari and prayed for the well-being of all and that pastures and fields remain good,” the CM said.
On the occasion, Dharmendra said that Nuakhai is an emotion for western Odisha. “The farmers celebrate the festival at home by offering the first grain of his crop to the mother goddess. On behalf of the people of Sambalpur, on behalf of the people of Odisha, I extend my heartiest wishes to the farmers on this auspicious occasion when financial assistance will be given to lakhs of farmers under CM Kisan Yojana,” he said.
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Among others, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, IG Police, Collector, and few other officials were present.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister celebrated the festival at the residence of retired agricultural officer Madan Mohan Mishra here. He also partook the sacred ‘Nabanna’ with the family members. Dharmendra said that he has been associated with the family since he was in charge of the student’s wing of BJP.
