Odisha’s amazing transformation from a poverty-ridden state, known only for droughts and starvation deaths, to a sporting powerhouse and one of the leading investment destinations in the country has drawn applause even from the critics of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the man behind this great turn-around story.
As the Chief Minister himself admitted during his reply to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the state assembly, Odisha’s progress on different fronts has been possible because transparent, sensitive and stable governance has created the right ecosystem for the investors.
This has generated large-scale proposals for setting up manufacturing and service industries in Odisha. While global tech giants such as IBM and Deloitte have already started their operations in Bhubaneswar, more IT and new-age tech companies are looking towards Odisha for the expansion of their activities.
The government’s emphasis on funding infrastructure projects related to connectivity across the state has been crucial in driving growth. The latest feather in the government’s cap is the Biju Expressway, which is all set to herald a new era of development in western Odisha.
While the state is also jointly funding many railway projects for faster movement of goods and passengers, the operationalization of the Rourkela and Jeypore airports has been a major step towards improving air connectivity. As far as direct international connectivity, the state government is gearing up to launch services to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore from Bhubaneswar.
Another important factor driving growth, especially industrial growth in the state is the availability of quality and affordable power. The government has been focusing in a big way on strengthening the power infrastructure in the state. It is also committed to ensuring all the households across the state have access to electricity and no areas face low-voltage problems.
With pro-people governance further strengthened by the 5T principles to provide professional and effective services with the aim of transformational development in every sector, the rise of Odisha as one of the major states of the country was only natural.
The fact is that Odisha is now being recognized as a role model in many fields, including sports. The transformation of hockey in India has been possible only due to the generous support of the five-time Chief Minister, whose government has committed itself to sponsor both national men’s and women’s teams till 2033.
Thanks to this support, both the teams did the country proud with their performance at the Tokyo Olympics, with the men’s team winning a bronze medal after 41 years and the women’s team reaching the semi-finals for the first time. Odisha is also the only state in the country to have organized the Men’s Hockey World Cup twice consecutively. Odisha is definitely shining on all fronts and its ever-popular Chief Minister is deservingly collecting the accolades.
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