SAMBALPUR: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday joined the ‘Ekta Padayatra’ to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, calling for renewed commitment towards a clean, healthy, self-reliant and progressive Odisha.
The march began from the Reserve Police Ground and culminated at the Women’s College square, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students, youths and local organisations.
Addressing a public meeting later, Pradhan said, “Odisha would complete 100 years of its formation as a linguistic state in 2036. Similarly, India will complete a century of its Independence in 2047.
Our ancestors fought for ‘Swaraj’, but today our responsibility is to fight for ‘Samruddhi’. The next 10 to 22 years are crucial. We must move forward step by step towards a developed Sambalpur, developed Odisha and developed India.”
The union minister further said people must also remain conscious of their duty towards building the state’s future. Urging people to transform Sambalpur into a cleaner and healthier city inspired by Gandhian values, he said,
“We must prioritise nutrition in rural areas and ensure proper care for children, starting from newborns. Promoting sports and expanding sports infrastructure will also help nurture confidence, pride and self-reliance among nearly two lakh families living in the city.”
He recalled the contribution and role of Bamanda king Sir Basudev Sudhal Deb, poet Gangadhar Meher and several other legendary sons of the soil in formation of the linguistic state of Odisha.
During the march, Pradhan paid floral tributes at the statue of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai near Jail chowk and Shaheed Stambh at Nelson Mandela chowk to honour the martyrs of India’s freedom struggle.
Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra were present.