THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 26, 2026

      Odisha will secure a place among the top five states of the country by 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Monday, laying out a bold and time-bound roadmap to transform the state by its centenary year as an independent entity. Making this landmark declaration while addressing the state-level celebrations of the 77th Republic Day at the historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the Chief Minister said his government is firmly committed to inclusive, technology-driven and people-centric development.

Earlier, Majhi unfurled the national flag amid enthusiastic crowds, colourful parades and a vibrant display of Odisha’s cultural and constitutional pride. In his address, he paid tributes to India’s constitutional legacy and lauded the rapid national progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while underlining how Odisha has emerged as an active partner in this development journey over the last 19 months.

 “Odisha has also been a recipient of this rapid development for the past 19 months. Our government is working tirelessly to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the common man, basking in the love and immense blessings of the people of the state,” the Chief Minister said. He reiterated that the vision of a prosperous Odisha rests on the principle that every citizen, every region and every district must grow together, guided by the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.

Emphasising the need to adapt to fast-paced technological change, Majhi said the state government is prioritising new technologies to keep Odisha at the forefront of development. He reaffirmed the government’s special focus on four key groups identified by the Prime Minister—the poor, farmers, youth and women — stating that Odisha’s welfare-oriented governance ensures access to education, healthcare and basic amenities such as electricity, drinking water and roads.

Education emerged as the foundation of the government’s long-term strategy. The Chief Minister highlighted the foundation stone laying of the Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Primary School at Banpur, envisioned as a national model with world-class infrastructure and well-trained teachers. The initiative, he said, aims to ensure that children in rural Odisha can compete on equal footing with their urban counterparts. Majhi also pointed out that Odisha has fully implemented the New Education Policy-2020, noting that over 14 per cent of the state budget is allocated to education with a clear emphasis on quality infrastructure and learning outcomes.

In healthcare, Majhi credited the successful integration of Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, which together now benefit nearly 3.5 crore people by providing access to world-class medical facilities. He also referred to the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana as a significant step towards ensuring healthcare security for senior citizens.

Women empowerment featured prominently in the address. Quoting the adage “Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata,” the Chief Minister asserted that Odisha’s prosperity is inseparable from the progress of its women. He recalled the launch of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao by Prime Minister Modi in 2015 and noted that his government approved the Subhadra Yojana in its very first cabinet meeting. Over one crore women have already received assistance under the scheme in just eight months. The current budget allocates a record ₹89,862 crore — around 30 per cent of the total — for women-centric initiatives spanning education, health, transport and livelihoods, with Odisha leading the nation in the Lakhpati Didi programme.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women, Majhi cited a sharp rise in conviction rates, from single digits in 2022 and 2023 to 41 per cent in the first six months of 2025, crossing 62 per cent in June. “Perpetrators of violence against women have only one identity and one address: jail,” he declared, underlining the government’s uncompromising stance as Odisha charts its course towards a stronger, safer and more prosperous future.