Amidst the ongoing cold wave, the successful test-firing of ‘Agni P’ – India’s new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile – from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha was symbolic of the rise in fortunes of the state regardless of the challenges facing it along the way.
On the industry front, the brightest reflection of that rise has been the Odisha government’s recent approval of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s proposal for an integrated steel plant project, worth Rs 1.02 lakh crore, making the project the largest in the manufacturing sector of not just the state but the country.
Once in operation from its Kendrapara complex, this mega plant will produce 24 million tonnes of steel per annum and generate direct employment opportunities for 16,000 people and far more jobs through ancillary industries and services. It will also produce 18.75 MT of cement every year, which will make it one of the largest cement manufacturing plants in India and – more importantly – boost infrastructure development in the state and beyond.
A couple of days before this development, the Odisha government had also green-lighted another seven investment proposals, totalling Rs 511.19 crore, which – as per what Industries Secretary Hemant Kumar Sharma revealed a few days ago – would generate a lot of jobs in sectors such as textile, apparel, paper products and tourism.
Even as these proposals were receiving approval, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was busy demanding special dispensation from the Centre during his interaction with the visiting Niti Aayog team. His demand was based on solid facts. One, that Odisha is “burdened with infrastructural gaps and vulnerability to recurring natural calamities”; and two, that the state is deserving of the support given its record over the past two decades in crucial sectors, such as healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture, and even in empowering women and combating left-wing extremism.
However, his government’s efforts have been well above and beyond those that were mentioned during the Niti Aayog meeting.
For instance, the five-time Chief Minister’s commitment to all-round and holistic development in Odisha is evident in some recent developments in the state’s education sector: one is the Odisha government’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with edutech company Unacademy to provide students with free coaching for national-level competitive exams such as UPSC, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG and NDA, among others; and another is the State Higher Education Department’s decision to introduce “Ethics and Values” as a subject in undergraduate (+3 Degree) courses, which will be aimed at developing students as responsible citizens and good human beings.
The appointment of more than 6,100 school teachers at one ago a few days ago also reflected the Odisha government’s resolve to strengthen the education system from the ground up.
The Chief Minister’s strong convictions about the importance of investing in the youth of Odisha to ensure a better future for the state is reflected in pioneering initiatives such as Skilled in Odisha and – most impressively – in the field of sports.
He is leaving no stone unturned to keep the fire burning, both within the youth and his administration, to propel Odisha towards new heights – just like India did with the ‘Agni P’ missile.
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