Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the fourth evening of the annual art and culture festival Maraguda Lok Mahotsav in Nuapada district as the chief guest.
In his speech, the Chief Minister praised the Maraguda civilization and highlighted the natural environment and tourism potential of Nuapada district. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the Nuapada and Khadial regions to the formation of the Odisha state and the freedom struggle. The Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the blood shrine at Salihagarh.
He announced that efforts would be made to provide 99 percent of irrigation facilities to Nuapada district. Additionally, he stated that the state government would offer full support to advance the work on the Nuapada-Bargarh railway line. On this occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for 37 projects worth Rs. 218.89 crore in the district and inaugurated 26 projects valued at Rs. 103.49 crore. He emphasized that financial constraints would not hinder the district’s development.
The district is actively engaged in the production and sale of rice and mandia (finger millet). The Chief Minister noted the government’s success in this sector and mentioned that the “Double Engine” government has strengthened the support for farmers in Odisha by providing a bonus of Rs. 800 per quintal of paddy. This visit marked the Chief Minister’s first trip to Nuapada since the government was formed.
Currently, the local mini stadium is hosting the Maraguda Lok Mahotsav, along with the Pallishri Mela and a book fair, with great fanfare. The Chief Minister departed from Bhubaneswar on Friday and arrived at the Nuapada Gotma Air Strip in the evening, where he was welcomed by BJP workers. After visiting the Gayatri Temple in the capital, he participated in a grand cultural procession.
The procession featured traditional music and dance, including the sounds of the ghanta (bell), conch, mridangam, and Ghoomura dance, with thousands of people lining the streets to welcome him. Hundreds of artists from various blocks, along with thousands of attendees, joined in the procession. Upon reaching the mini stadium, the Chief Minister was welcomed by Nuapada District Magistrate Madhusudan Dash and senior officials from the district administration. He later attended a cultural program organized under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate as the chief guest.
