Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said media has a big role in setting the agenda for the future of Odisha.
Speaking at the Odisha Nirman Conclave hosted by Kanak News, Naveen said debate and discussion is the hallmark of democracy. It brings issues of current times that need to be addressed, and set the tone for future needs. “It is more so significant when we talk development rather than hovering around fragile issues that does not go down well for a vibrant democracy,” he said.
Coming to the issues of Odisha, he said the state has come far away from a phase of unstable economy with a high poverty index to a phase of economic resurgence with continuous improvement in various development indicators.
“Our growth rate has been consistently remained higher than national average for last several years barring this pandemic hit period. Between 2011-12 and 2017-18, our economy expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 10.30%. In January this year, our GST collection has shown a growth of 25.30% indicating our economic resilience, Naveen said.
Stating that Odisha’s management of COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most effective among states, the chief minister said, “Long before the threat perception was realised at the national level, we could see the imminent danger and sprang into action with awareness campaign through the people’s representatives and putting in place all the necessary protocols and guidelines.”
He appealed to the people not to lower guard and follow the protocols as the fear of a second wave is looming large.
Stating that women empowerment is a key indicator of higher sustainable growth, Naveen said women in Odisha are increasingly contributing to rural economy, taking charge of institutions, and running different government run programmes more efficiently. Not only that, encouraging stories of achievements by Odisha people in different sectors from farming to entrepreneurship, sports, art, cinema and many other sectors have become a regular phenomenon, he added.
“Education has been a priority area of my government all along. Odisha is now dotted with educational institutions across the length and breadth of the state with focus on quality education,” he said.
“The narrative of Odisha is changing. We are on a path of resurgence. We need partnership of all sections of society to realise the ambition of a prosperous state where people have all the opportunities to fulfill their dreams, exercise their rights freely, and carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour,” he said adding that media certainly has a bigger role in setting the agenda for the future of Odisha.
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