Bhubaneswar, April 1 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday conveyed deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Utkal Divas.

Reacting to the letter by PM Modi, CM Majhi said, “On this auspicious occasion of Utkal Divas, I extend my deepest gratitude to you on behalf of the people of Odisha for your heartfelt wishes and your eloquent recognition of our state’s glorious history and civilization heritage. Your words have resonated deeply with every Odia heart.”

The Chief Minister further added that PM Modi’s enduring bond with Odisha has always been a source of inspiration, and that the cultural kinship between Gujarat and Odisha — reflected in the shared legacy of the Sun Temples and the sacred tradition of Rath Yatra — underscores the civilizational threads that unite the nation.

He also stated that PM Modi’s personal participation in the Pahandi ritual during the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra stands as a living testament to this cherished cultural unity.

“The Central Government’s steadfast support for Odisha’s development under your visionary leadership has been transformative. The record allocation of Rs 10,600 crore for the railway sector in 2025–26, combined with a focused thrust on port-led development, is poised to establish Odisha as a premier maritime and industrial hub,” Majhi noted.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modi’s recognition of the Odisha government’s efforts under the Subhadra Yojana and Lakhpati Didis greatly encourages the Nari Shakti movement. The Chief Minister said that as Odisha approaches 100 years as a distinct and proud state, the government renews its resolve to advance the vision of a ‘Viksit Odisha’ for a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“The preservation of Odia Asmita, our language, our culture, and our identity, remains the cornerstone of our governance. With the divine blessings of Lord Jagannath and the collective will of our people, Odisha shall scale new heights of prosperity and progress. We are committed to walking this path of development in full partnership with the Government of India,” said Majhi.

Earlier, PM Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to people on the occasion of Odisha Day and said that the state stands tall as a “timeless symbol” of culture and “spiritual greatness”.

–IANS

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