[In Pics] Odisha Visit: President Launches Tribal Development Project In Home Dist Mayurbhanj

Baripada: President Droupadi Murmu launched a tribal development project in her home district Mayurbhanj while embarking upon her three-day visit to Odisha on Thursday.

The project being taken up by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was launched at Pahadpur in Rairangpur sub-division of the tribal-dominated district.

The President also launched a livelihood programme and laid the foundation stones of a community centre at SLS Memorial School to be built by NABARD.

The President also presented saplings, seeds and other agricultural articles to several locals, including women, on the occasion. Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bisheswar Tudu were also present at the event.

During her visit to Pahadpur, her in-laws’ place, the President laid the foundation stone of a skill development centre at the village. The Centre is aimed at imparting skills in different trades to the locals. President of Prayas Trust Meena Subrahmanyan and other dignitaries were present on the ocasion.

Earlier, the President landed at Badampahar helipad in the tribal-dominated district in an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter amid tight security, in her first visit to her birthplace after assuming the high position.

Murmu was given a ceremonial welcome at the Badampahad helipad by Governor Ganeshi Lal, Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu, Odisha Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick and local MLAs.

After reaching her native place, Murmu walked down the road for about half-a-kilometer and met people, including tribal men, women and children, waiting eagerly on both sides of the road to greet the daughter of the soil.

They waved at her as she travelled to her in-law’s house at Pahadpur village in Rairangpur sub-division, about five kilometer from the helipad. Scores of hoardings and banners were put up in Rairangpur and Pahadpur to welcome her.

At Pahadpur she garlanded her late husband Shyam Charan Murmu’s statue and visited the SLS Memorial School in the area.

The President visited SLS Memorial Residential School where she interacted with the students, teachers and others, apart from launching several programmes. She was accompanied by the Governor and the Union Minister.

During her visit to the village, the President presented gifts to the local people, mostly tribal women who had gathered to have a glimpse of the daughter of the soil.

A large number of locals, including tribal girls and women, presented delightful traditional dance to drum beats for the President as she entered the area.

Murmu was accorded a warm welcome in a traditional style as she reached the village in her maiden visit to her native place after becoming President.