The Chief Minister also called on citizens to celebrate ‘Odia Pakhya’ (Odia Fortnight), emphasizing the essence of Odia identity in everyday life, from language to culture. He paid homage to the sacrifices made during the Paika Rebellion of 1817 and highlighted the state’s historical struggles for Odia language recognition.
The event showcased the government’s commitment to empowering the people of Odisha through initiatives like the Subhadra Yojana, which aims to economically uplift women across the state. With milestones in education, health, and industry, Odisha is paving the way for a prosperous and empowered future.
Utkala Dibasa stands as a poignant reminder of Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage and its vision for progress and inclusion.
**Odia Pakhya**
In celebration of Odia Pakhya, which has commenced in the state, the Chief Minister emphasized that the true wealth of Odisha lies in its people. With a population of four and a half crore, each drop of our blood is infused with Odia identity. Our behavior, speech, and food all reflect our pure Odia essence. We are dedicated to advancing this Odia identity, which is why we are celebrating ‘Odia Pakhya’ from today until April 14.
**Tribute to the Baraputras**
On the occasion of Odisha Day, the Chief Minister extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Odia brothers and sisters residing in the state, across the nation, and around the globe.
**Paika Rebellion**
The British rule in Odisha began in 1803. Just 14 years later, the Paika Rebellion of 1817 challenged the British Empire in Odisha. Many brave fighters, including Bakshi Jagabandhu, sacrificed their lives for India’s independence.
**Formation of Separate Provinces and Language Movement**
Sri Majhi said, “Today, the Odia language has achieved classical status. However, there was a time when Odia was not even recognized as a separate language. The political situation during the British era left Odisha in a dire state. Portions of the Odia-speaking region were merged with the Bengal Presidency, the Central Provinces, the Madras Presidency, and the Bihar-Odisha Province. Consequently, Bengali, Hindi, and Telugu languages and cultures overshadowed Odia in those areas”.
**Process of Change**
“With the mission of change that led to the formation of our new government, we have laid the groundwork for this transformation in a short span of time. An era of immense possibilities has begun for Odisha. We are witnessing significant progress across all sectors, including industry, education, health, and infrastructure”, stated Shri Majhi.
**Women Empowerment**
Further, the Chief Minister said, “Mothers represent half of our population. Without their development, Odisha cannot progress. Therefore, a primary focus of our government is the empowerment of women. Our Subhadra Yojana has enabled the empowerment of over one crore mothers. By 2027, we aim to create 25 lakh ‘Lakshapati Didi’. Currently, more than 10 lakh women have achieved this status, and we are optimistic that we will exceed our target by 2027. Empowered mothers will help build an empowered Odisha”.
