BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said Odisha has the potential to grow faster and overtake other States to become number one in the country.
“With about 42 per cent of the population being youth, the State has the capacity to capitalise on the demographic transition which presents a window of opportunity to enable, engage and empower the youth in channelising their energy for building a vibrant and prosperous Odisha,” Pradhan said at a youth convention organised by BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on the occasion of 80th Utkal Divas here.
Stating that youth population of Odisha is equal to the combined population of Singapore and Switzerland, Pradhan said they can take the State to the pinnacle of progress by exploiting its huge natural resources. “Nothing can stop Odisha from becoming an advanced State in the world by 2036 when people will celebrate the centenary year of its formation as a separate State,” he said.
The Union Minister said Odia people have excelled in every field and non-resident Odias living in the USA have made significant contribution to America’s economy.
People from the State working in diamond factories of Gujarat have not only proved their skill, but also earned the trust of diamond traders for their honesty and integrity, he said.
It is said that developing countries with large youth population could see their economies soar, provided they invest heavily in young people’s education and health and protect their rights, Pradhan said. Young people are the innovators, creators, and leaders of the future. They can transform the future only if they have skills and the right environment, he said and called upon the youth to grab whatever opportunities come their way.
State BJP president Basanta Panda inaugurated the convention which was presided by BJYM State president Tankadhar Tripathy.