Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his admiration for Odisha, highlighting its captivating culture, spiritual richness, and the resilience of its citizens. He reaffirmed the government's dedication to the state's development during a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, coinciding with Utkal Dibasa, the state's foundation day.

In his four-page letter, Modi honored several prominent figures from Odisha's history, including Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, and Biju Patnaik, acknowledging their significant contributions to the nation.

He described Odisha as a treasure of civilization, praising its illustrious past and the achievements of its people. Modi also recognized the diverse talents of Odias in various fields such as trade, education, sports, and the arts, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the state even prior to his tenure as Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister noted the substantial increase in funding for railways and roads in Odisha, with allocations rising to Rs 10,200 crore for the years 2023-24 to 2026-27, a significant jump from Rs 838 crore between 2008-09 and 2013-14. This investment aims to enhance connectivity, logistics, and tourism in a state rich in natural and cultural resources.

Regarding tribal welfare, Modi mentioned initiatives like PM-JANMAN, which target the most vulnerable populations. He emphasized the NDA government's commitment to transforming Odisha into a key maritime and industrial hub through port-led development, including projects at Paradip and Gopalpur.

The proposed Rare Earth Corridor is expected to bolster Odisha's role in strategic minerals and advanced manufacturing. Modi also highlighted the state's growing significance in India's semiconductor sector, showcasing its potential for high-tech manufacturing.

He commended the Majhi administration for its outstanding efforts over the past two years, expressing confidence in their ability to meet the aspirations of the people. Modi specifically mentioned the Subhadra Yojana, a scheme aimed at empowering women, as a notable initiative.

The Prime Minister praised the government's efforts to preserve and promote the Odia language and culture. He also noted that the Centre will continue to support sports and youth empowerment, celebrating Odisha's selection to host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships as a national pride.

Modi concluded by stating that Odisha is on a path to achieving new heights of prosperity, assuring that the central government will remain a steadfast partner in realizing the vision of a developed Odisha for a developed India.