Former chief minister Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary observed

Bhubaneswar, Mar 5 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the state would march ahead on the path of development if all the people worked unitedly to translate the dream of legendary leader and former chief minister Biju Patnaik into reality.

Addressing a function at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) office here to celebrate the 92nd birth anniversary of the former leader, the Chief Minister said Biju Babu had dedicated his entire life for the development of the state.

He had brought revolutionary changes in the field of agriculture and wanted to see Orissa industrially developed.

After his death, the BJD had been working relentlessly for the past eight years to fullfil his dream, the Chief Minister said.

Mr Patnaik said his government had launched a series of special schemes like employment mission, mission shakti, Mo-Kudia, Gopabandhu Grameen Bidyut Karan Yojana and Madhu Babu Pension scheme.

The Chief Minister said following the fiscal advancement, the state could launch its own schemes for the poor and exhorted the people to ensure that the schemes were implemented in the right way.

''If every person works unitedly for the development of the state it would be the greatest tribute to the departed leader,'' he said.

Speaking on the occasion, party general secretary Damodar Rout described Biju Patnaik as a legendary leader and said he had played a major role in the freedom movement of the country as well as in Indonesia.

He appealed to the people to emulate him and work for the development of the state selflessly without hankering for power and position.

State Panchayat Raj Minister Raghunath Mohanty wanted the party members to take a pledge to strengthen the party.

State Information and Public Relations Minister Debasis Nayak said Biju Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the development process in the state.

Besides, the state Sports and Youth Affairs department organised a mini-marathon to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great leader.

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