On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, emphasizing the state’s rich history and its contributions to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building, as stated in a press release from the President’s Secretariat.
The President called for a united effort to create a prosperous Odisha by 2036, which would aid India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047. She encouraged the MLAs to meet the expectations of the citizens, realizing their aspirations and bringing joy to their lives.
She commended Odisha’s tradition of empowering women, highlighting the state’s consistent representation of women in the Assembly.
While addressing the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the President expressed nostalgia, mentioning that old memories of this place had returned after many years. As a legislator, she had posed questions, and as a minister, she had responded to the inquiries of legislators in this house, as noted in the release.
The President emphasized that Odisha has a long-standing tradition of women’s empowerment, expressing pride in the fact that the Odisha Legislative Assembly has a significant history of women’s representation.
Throughout both pre- and post-independence periods, there has never been a Legislative Assembly in Odisha devoid of women’s representation. She remarked that women from Odisha have brought pride to the nation through their achievements in various sectors.
The President acknowledged that the Odisha Legislative Assembly has enacted numerous laws for public welfare. She expressed satisfaction that the 17th Legislative Assembly has conducted many productive meetings in a brief timeframe, noting that this Assembly has established a commendable tradition of dialogue.
The President stated that Odisha is experiencing significant advancement. She commended the Odisha Government for implementing numerous new initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, education, health, the development of tribal and other marginalized groups, housing, disaster management, and more. She expressed satisfaction in observing that the industrialization process in Odisha is evolving positively due to the collaborative efforts of both the central and state governments.
The President remarked that nature has endowed Odisha with a wealth of resources. It is rich in mineral deposits, forests, water resources, and human capital. The environment in Odisha is exceptionally favorable for the growth of agriculture, industry, and commerce. By capitalizing on these strengths, Odisha has the potential to emerge as a leading state in the nation.
The President announced that the centenary of Odisha’s establishment will be commemorated in 2036. If all stakeholders collaborate to create a prosperous Odisha by that year, it will represent the state’s most significant contribution towards making India a developed nation by 2047. She expressed her belief that everyone will act with the ethos of ‘Nation First’.
The President emphasized that MLAs serve as the representatives of the people. The citizens of Odisha hold great hope and trust in them, having assigned them a substantial responsibility. It is incumbent upon all MLAs to meet the expectations of the populace, fulfill their aspirations, and bring joy to their lives.
The President noted that we are in an era dominated by technology. As public representatives, MLAs have numerous admirers and followers who are keen to learn about their statements and actions. Both their words and behavior hold great significance. What MLAs communicate, and the manner in which they express themselves, both within and outside the legislative assembly, is widely recognized. She stated that their actions and words should inspire their admirers and followers to contribute positively to society and the state.
