Bhubaneswar: Many of Odisha’s denizens have gained recognition for their work and endeavours after being praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’.
The first show went on air on October 3, 2014 and ever since people eagerly wait for Modi’s address to the nation which goes live on All India Radio, DD National and DD News on the last Sunday of every month.
Here, Odisha Bytes brings you some of these notable personalities from Odisha whom Modi has praised and projected as the future of a bright and self-sufficient nation.
Silu Nayak, Youth Trainer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was all praise for the efforts of this Odia man from Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district for helping local youth join the Armed Forces.
In his radio programme on February 27, the PM mentioned that Nayak, a 28-year-old youth of Arakhuda village provides free training to the youths from his village and nearby areas for the physical and written tests of the Indian defence forces.
Silu trains youth near Devi river bank and has so far trained around 300 youths, of whom 70 have joined the Armed Forces.
Also Read: ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Hero Silu Nayak Of Odisha Stands Vindicated
Bhagyashree Sahoo, Pattachitra Artist
An engineering student turned artist Bhagyashree was applauded by the Prime Minister for promoting Pattachitra art through her works on soft stone and later on other objects. She had developed the passion during lockdown and kept posting her work on Instagram pages which caught the attention of the nation’s Prime Minister.
Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: PM Applauds Rourkela Girl For Odisha’s Pattachitra Work
Puri Youngsters For Beach Cleaning
To clean the path of Olive Ridley turtles coming to Astaranga beach in Puri district for nesting every year, six youngsters of ‘Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan Trust’ put their non-stop efforts for 30 days in cleaning the beach. They collected over 5,000 kg of waste including plastic bags from a stretch of 20 km along the beach.
Soumya Ranjan Biswal, Suman Pradhan, Dillip Kumar Biswal, Santosh Behera, Pravakar Biswal and Sushant Parida were part of the cleanliness drive. The Prime Minister praised their effort and said it will inspire others in the country.
Also Read: Puri Youths Find Place In PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ For Cleaning Astaranga Beach
Daitari Nayak, Canal Man of Odisha
A 70-year-old farmer from Odisha’s Keonjhar district caught the nation’s attention when he carved out a three-km-long canal through a mountain with a hoe and a crowbar.
The Padma Shri awardee was praised by the Prime Minister in the radio programme. Daitari’s priceless efforts helped irrigate 100 acres of land in his village.
Daitari had dug out a canal as people of Talabaitarani, where he resides, suffered for lack irrigation facilities. It took him 22 years to cut through the mountain and finally in 2018, he could bring water from the Karatakata Nullah of Gupta Ganga to irrigate around 100 acres of land in his village. His three brothers and two nephews helped him in this task.
Pulwama Martyr’s Wife
The wife of Pulwama martyr Prasanna Sahu of Jagatsinghpur also found a mention in the Prime Minister’s address district for her vow to send her only son to join the CRPF.
Also Read: PM Modi Praises Odisha’s Canal Man, Pulwama Martyr’s Wife In ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Programme
Prakash Rao, Social Worker & Tea Seller
The Prime Minister acknowledged a tea seller of Odisha’s Cuttack. Modi had said, “There are some people who go ahead with their work, to bring about a change through their hard work and dedication; they make it a reality. Such is the story of D Prakash Rao, living in the slums of Cuttack, Odisha, who gave up everything of his in order to adopt and realize the dreams of others! Just yesterday I’ve had the good fortune of meeting D Prakash Rao.”
Jamuna Mani Singh, ASHA worker
In 2015, Modi praised an ASHA worker of Odisha’s Balasore for her fight against malaria and black magic.
Jamunamani Singh, a tribal woman of Tenda village of Balasore district, was lauded for her awareness campaign in her locality against malaria diseases and black magic.
Jamuna has been fighting against malaria and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea through spreading awareness for more than 10 years in the villages of Tenda and Sialghati, her native village in Nilagiri block. Her resolve not to allow a single malaria-related death found echo in Modi’s words.
Also Read: Water Woes: Bhubaneswar Denizen Finds Mention In PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’
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