Bhubaneswar: In a historic and momentous occasion, President Droupadi Murmu turned emotional on Thursday as she addressed the Odisha Assembly where she had started her political career as an MLA.
Describing the event a ‘truly special’ occasion, Murmu credited the Assembly for shaping her journey to the highest constitutional office of the country.
“Whatever I am today, the credit goes to this House. I am delighted to be present here. I have addressed many state legislatures before, but addressing the Odisha Assembly is unique,” the President said, expressing deep gratitude.
Murmu, a former MLA and Minister in Odisha, turned emotional while delivering her speech in the presence of Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Speaker Surama Padhy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram and others.
“It feels like a homecoming. I had begun my public life from this august House. This House taught me many things. I have reached the highest constitutional post in India due to the teachings of this House and the blessings of the people of Odisha,” she said.
In her address, the President highlighted the contribution of Odisha in the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny and the freedom struggle against the British Rule. “Many great sons of Odisha including Veer Surendra Sai, Baji Rout, Laxman Nayak had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle. The people of Odisha have much contribution in the nation making,” said Murmu
She remembered the role played by leaders like Madhu Sudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Harekrushna Mahtab and Biju Patnaik in the development of Odisha.
Successive governments and Chief Ministers in in the state have tried their best to develop the state. I pay my tributes to them. Current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his government introduced several welfare measures for the people,” she said.
Hailing the Subhadra Yojana introduced by the state government for its contribution towards women empowerment, the President said many women in have become Lakhpati Didis by utilising the financial assistance under the Subhadra scheme.
Highlighting the rising role of women in governance, Murmu said women’s representation in the Assembly has increased and the House is now presided over by a woman Speaker.
Stressing that Odisha is blessed with abundant resources and has the potential to become a leading state, she urged all the members to work with dedication to build a prosperous Odisha by 2036.
Urging the legislators to lead the people by example, the President said that their words and deeds in the Assembly as well as in public will set example for the people. Therefore, they should be extremely careful in this regard, said Murmu.
