Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday flagged off a special train from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, carrying around 1,000 representatives from 19 Naxal-free districts of the state to participate in the National Unity Day celebrations.
The representatives will attend the national parade scheduled for October 31 near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India.
The delegation will represent Odisha as a symbol of peace, security and development, reflecting the state’s progress towards eliminating Left-Wing Extremism.
CM Highlights Sardar Patel’s Contribution to National Unity
Speaking to the media after flagging off the train, Majhi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his extraordinary leadership and determination in uniting more than 550 princely states to build a united India.
The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been observing Patel’s birth anniversary as National Unity Day since 2014 to honour his contribution to the country’s unity and integrity.
He expressed confidence that this year’s national parade would reflect the achievement of a Naxal-free India.
Odisha Moving Towards Development After Naxalism
Majhi said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the efforts of security forces, Odisha and the country were progressing towards a Naxal-free future.
He stressed that infrastructure development and socioeconomic progress in formerly Naxal-affected areas remained key priorities of the state government.
Under the Gramodaya Plus scheme, welfare programmes are being implemented in an integrated manner across 10 affected districts to ensure that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries and help communities join the mainstream.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of collective efforts in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
New Express Train to Connect Puri with Badampahar
In a major announcement concerning railway connectivity, Majhi said the Central Government had approved a new express train service between Puri and Badampahar in Mayurbhanj district.
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to inaugurate the service in the first week of November.
The proposed train service is expected to strengthen connectivity across six districts: Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
The initiative is expected to improve regional connectivity and facilitate travel for passengers across several important districts of Odisha.