Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to undertake a day-long visit to Odisha’s Steel City of Rourkela on April 21.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who extended the invitation to the President, confirmed on Sunday that she has accepted it. The Sundargarh MP further stated that the President will arrive in the city at 11:10 am and depart for Delhi by 4 pm. He described the visit as a historic occasion that will bring immense pride to the people of Rourkela and Odisha.
During the visit, the President will inaugurate an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), a recreational park, a Tribal Research and Cultural Museum, and a planetarium . The ICCC, which has recently gone live under the Rourkela Smart City initiative, will bolster traffic management, CCTV surveillance, public safety, and law enforcement through centralised monitoring. The new science park and planetarium project, along with enhanced recreational spaces, will add to the city’s educational and leisure infrastructure.
A major highlight will be the inauguration of the Tribal Research and Cultural Museum in Rourkela, which aims to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of Odisha’s over 60 tribal communities, who constitute about 22.8% of the state’s population. Spanning 10 acres and built at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore, the museum features 12 interactive galleries, over 5,000 artefacts, a research centre, digital archives, and displays highlighting the traditions, lifestyles, and art of groups such as the Munda, Santhal, and Khond. Its location in Rourkela, which has a significant tribal population (around 40% in the district), makes it a fitting tribute to indigenous culture.
The Union Minister revealed that cultural troupes will perform and over one lakh attendees from across the district, including 10,000 students, will attend the event.
Preparations are in full swing by the Sundargarh district administration and the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC). Oram had also met Chief Minister Mohan Majhi earlier this month to review related development initiatives and ensure seamless arrangements.
