BHUBANESWAR:Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday sought divine intervention to put development of the State on the fast track.
Addressing the 79th formation day of Odisha, Naveen sought blessings of Lord Jagannath ‘to place Odisha in its rightful place in global map’. This is the first Nabakalebara festival of 21st Century and the Government is keen on conducting it in a smooth manner, he said.
The Chief Minister hailed the statesmen who were chief architects in giving Odisha its unique identity during its formative years.
Naveen said the Government has accorded priority to social welfare, infrastructure development and employment creation. A host of programmes is being implemented to bring about development in the State, he added.
A cultural programme accompanied by art and craft exhibition was organised by the State Government to celebrate the formation day.
The Capital City wore a glittering look on the occasion of Utkal Divas which was celebrated with much fanfare.
The Utkal Divas function was attended by Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly Niranjan Pujari, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda and MP Prasanna Patsani among others.