THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 9, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday urged the state’s Gen-Z and youth to keep the spirit of patriotism alive in the digital age and resist attempts to mislead them through social media misuse and drugs, as he launched the historic ‘Ghar Ghar Tiranga’ campaign here on the occasion of August Kranti Diwas.

Calling upon all 4.5 crore people of Odisha to make the national flag a symbol of collective pride, Majhi appealed to citizens to proudly hoist the Tricolour in every village, panchayat, town, house, school and office across the state from August 9 to 17.

Addressing a grand gathering at the launch event, the Chief Minister said the spirit of the Quit India Movement, launched on August 9, 1942, from August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, continues to inspire the nation and had given a decisive new direction to India's freedom struggle.

Paying rich tributes to freedom fighters and martyrs, Majhi said the national flag was far more than a combination of three colours and represented the identity, glory and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

 “Saffron represents courage and sacrifice, white represents peace and truth, green represents prosperity, and the Ashoka Chakra in the centre teaches us to keep moving on the path of duty,” he said.

The Chief Minister also made a special appeal to the people to avoid plastic flags and use only cloth flags, stressing that the national celebration should also be made completely environment-friendly.

The launch was marked by a grand procession in which students from various schools and colleges, along with Scouts and Guides, NCC and NSS volunteers, marched carrying the Tricolour.

Cultural troupes from different parts of Odisha added colour to the celebration by presenting traditional folk dances and showcasing the state's rich artistic heritage.

Majhi, accompanied by other dignitaries, eminent sportspersons and thousands of students, joined the procession as participants raised patriotic slogans of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, turning the event into a vibrant public expression of national pride.

Making a pointed appeal to the younger generation, particularly Gen-Z, Majhi said the nature of challenges facing the country had changed in the digital era.

He cautioned that invisible forces, misuse of social media and drugs were being used to mislead young people and urged them to remain alert and firmly rooted in patriotism.

 “That invisible evil force will never succeed in its purpose. Give priority to patriotism and do not fall for their delusions,” the Chief Minister advised.

Majhi also said Odisha would play a decisive role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Viksit Bharat – 2047’, asserting that the state was poised to emerge as a major engine of India's economic and industrial growth.

The Chief Minister credited the contribution of farmers, workers, youth and women to the state's development and said their collective efforts would strengthen Odisha's role in the country's growth story.

Ahead of Independence Day, Majhi also urged people to honour and respect the families of brave soldiers and policemen who are engaged in safeguarding the country and its citizens.

Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, and Higher Education, Culture and Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryavanshi Suraj were among the key dignitaries present at the event.

Kandhamal MP Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Digapahandi MLA Siddhant Mohapatra, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Pallahara MLA Ashok Mohanty, Pipili MLA Ashrit Patnaik, BJP Odisha State Organisation General Secretary Manas Mohanty and BJP Odisha State In-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar also attended the programme.

Eminent sportspersons Pramod Bhagat, Anupama Swain, Sunil Pradhan, Jayanti Behera and Kamalakanta Nayak were also present and inspired the youth with messages centred on patriotism, national pride and service to the country.