Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, during the third day of her six-day visit to Odisha on Wednesday, inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a slew of developmental projects in her hometown of Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district.
The President inaugurated the Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University Information Technology Campus, a major step toward enhancing higher education and IT capabilities in the area.She also laid foundation stones for several other transformative initiatives, including AYUSH Hospital cum Ayurvedic College, a new campus of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, an Archery Centre (Dhanurvidya Kendra), city beautification and drainage improvement works, an auditorium and cultural centre, a girls’ hostel, and a de-addiction centre.
Speaking on the occasion, Murmu expressed confidence that these development projects will benefit the region and generate new employment opportunities. She highlighted the Indian government’s Purvodaya vision, which prioritises the development of eastern states including Odisha. She noted that Mayurbhanj district is benefiting substantially from this approach. “These initiatives will bring direct benefits to the local population by creating new employment opportunities and strengthening essential infrastructure,” she said.
The President underscored the government’s special focus on the economic empowerment of tribal communities. She pointed to key schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana, which sets minimum support prices for over 90 minor forest produce items to support tribal livelihoods. Through micro-credit programs, self-help groups involving tribal members receive financial assistance, while the Scheduled Tribe Women Empowerment scheme provides low-interest loans to tribal women, demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, she noted.
President Murmu also highlighted efforts to improve health and education in tribal areas, including Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) for the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). She mentioned widespread electrification of tribal regions and the extension of 4G internet connectivity to remote areas, which are helping drive comprehensive development. “The upliftment of the poorest of the poor can be achieved only through the development of the tribal community,” she emphasised.
She reaffirmed the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all welfare and development schemes reach tribal populations effectively. Calling on everyone to avail these benefits and raise awareness among others, she said such participation would ensure local progress, contribute to state development, and ultimately advance the nation’s growth. “Our resolve of making ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 will be fulfilled only through collective efforts of the government and the citizens,” she added.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi were present.
CM Majhi Calls On President Murmu
Earlier in the day, the CM along with his wife ,Priyanka Marandi, had called on the President at her residence at Rairangpur. Majhi highlighted the President’s simplicity and warmth and addressed her as his elder sister in a post on X. ” Today, I had the good fortune to meet her along with my wife at her residence in Rairangpur and receive her blessings,” he wrote.
During this visit, Majhi stopped his convoy to engage with a group of excited children who were eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the President. He approached them warmly, waved cheerfully, and struck up a friendly conversation. Pointing toward the President’s residence, he asked the children whose house it was and inquired about their future aspirations and dreams. He even asked them to name the Chief Minister of Odisha.
Puri Visit
Before arriving at Rairangpur, the President, accompanied by her family member, performed ‘pinda daan’ ritual at ‘Swetaganga’ tank in Puri this morning and then visited Shree Jagannath Temple. After the ‘darshan’, she interacted with people who had gathered in front of the temple. This was Murmu’s fourth visit to the shrine since assuming the office of President.
