Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday planted a peepal tree in the sacred soil and water collected from different places of the state on the premises of Lok Seva Bhawan in Odisha capital and coined the term ‘Freedom Tree’ for it.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the tree will be a messenger of peace, freedom and non-violence for all of us. He called upon the people to join hands to make India strong with the message of peace, non-violence and brotherhood.
“The peepal tree signifies knowledge, enlightenment, happiness and auspiciousness. Since ages, it continues to represent the collective conscience of a pan-Indian cultural heritage. From the ancient Indus Valley civilisation to the sacred pages of Bhagwat Geeta to the enlightenment of Lord Budhha, the peepal tree has been an inseparable part of our socio-cultural life. The saga of peepal belongs to our past, our present and our future too. It is the epitome of our intellectual and moral freedom,” he said.
Stating that the solemn occasion of Gandhi Jayanti has a special significance this year, he said, “This time, we are commemorating it in the 75th year of Independence. On this occasion today, there was a celebration of peace, non-violence and freedom at Lok Seva Bhawan.”
On the occasion, veteran freedom fighter and president of State Freedom Fighters’ Association Nilamani Samal presented a ‘Charkha’ to the Chief Minister. The CM honoured him by presenting a shawl.
The Ahimsa Rath, that was moving all across the state disseminating the message of peace and non-violence, reached the Lok Seva Bhawan today. Welcoming the Rath, the Chief Minister thanked all for the kind of response it received by the people of the State.
The Chief Minister also released special editions of ‘Utkal Prasang’ and ‘Odisha Review’. He also released a special commemorative publication on the visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha.
Ministers, top officers, and dignitaries were present on the occasion.
