New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation during the 137th episode of his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, highlighting Odisha’s rich historical legacy and community-driven environmental conservation efforts.
Mentioning an inspiring grassroots initiative from Odisha, the Prime Minister lauded Maithili Bhue and over 60 women from Dhodrokusum village in Debrigarh region. “Until a few years ago, Maithili Bhue ji from this village would visit the forest almost daily—sometimes to gather firewood, at other times to collect Mahua flowers and Kendu leaves, or to harvest bamboo shoots and other forest produce. The forest met many of the needs of her family and numerous others in the area; however, Maithili ji then became associated with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism. This marked a shift in her relationship with the forest, taking it towards a new direction… This transformation in Maithili ji’s life inspired other women as well. Today, more than 60 women are actively involved in forest conservation,” he noted.
Transitioning from traditional forest product collection to active participation in Debrigarh Eco-Tourism, these women have taken the lead in wildlife protection, grassland development, and eco-tourism management, he further stated.
Prime Minister Modi commended their efforts as a stellar model of balancing nature conservation with local economic prosperity. “Maithili-ji and these sisters from Debrigarh have demonstrated that it is possible to protect nature while also achieving prosperity in life. The efforts of all these sisters serve as a great inspiration for all of us,” he added.
The broadcast also brought attention to Odisha’s rich history during the Prime Minister’s interaction with Mumbai-based history enthusiast Krishna Seshadri, creator of bharatrajya.com. During the conversation, Seshadri highlighted Queen Tribhuvan Mahadevi of Odisha’s 9th-century Bhaumakara dynasty as one of Indian history’s most remarkable figures. He detailed how she took charge of the administration following her husband’s martyrdom, stabilised the government, and established a powerful reign over Kalinga that endured for a century. “Around 850 AD, the neighbouring Pala Empire invaded her kingdom, and her husband, the king was martyred in the battle. Consequently, the empire shrank, and chieftains and leaders began abandoning it; however, Tribhuvan Mahadevi took charge of the administration. She became one of the first independent rulers in Indian history. She not only stabilised the government but also made it powerful enough to rule over Kalinga and the surrounding region for the next hundred years.”
Beyond the Odisha-centric highlights, the Prime Minister touched upon several national priorities, including:
>> Social Initiatives: Urging wide participation in the Nasha-mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign and praising cleanliness drives like the ‘Swachh Jyot’ experiment during the Amarnath Yatra.
>> Women Empowerment & Enterprise: Highlighting that women constitute 46% of PM SVANidhi Yojana beneficiaries, along with showcasing the success of Nagaland’s Vesalu Puro in floriculture.
>> Science & Agriculture: Announcing the Mission ShaktiSAT initiative involving 12,000 female students globally to build a lunar satellite, and encouraging farmers to adopt high-value crops like avocado.
>> Cultural Tributes & Festive Call: Paying tribute to legendary actor Uttam Kumar on his birth centenary and urging citizens to embrace the ‘Vocal for Local’ spirit ahead of the upcoming festive season.
