Bhubaneswar: Odisha remembered Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary with leaders paying floral tributes to the Father of the Nation and former Prime Minister at the state Assembly premises in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, along with several ministers, MLAs and senior leaders attended the programme to pay homage to the great men.
Paying his tribute, Chief Minister Majhi said the sacrifice, integrity and selfless service of the two great leaders remain a perennial source of inspiration for every Indian.
“Mahatma Gandhi not only led India to freedom but also showed the world the path of truth, non-violence and non-cooperation. His vision was centred on serving the last person in the queue, upholding cleanliness and embracing Swadeshi,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhiji’s ideals are being realised – Swachhata has become a Jan Andolan, Swadeshi has taken the form of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Antyodaya Yojana is empowering the poorest of the poor.
Recalling the legacy of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Chief Minister said his simple living, high thinking and honesty is an ideal for the entire society.
“Shastriji’s clarion call of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ infused new energy and confidence in every Indian,” he noted.
The Chief Minister asserted that the state government will continue to work with Gandhiji’s principles of truth and non-violence and Shastriji’s dedication to the nation as guiding ideals to build a prosperous Odisha and a Viksit Bharat.
On the occasion, the Information and Public Relations Department organised an all-religion prayer meeting and recital of Gandhiji’s favourite bhajan ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’.
Among others, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling and Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan were present.