Govt to bring in separate policy for Odias abroad: CM

Bhubaneswar: State govt will formulate a separate policy for Odias living abroad, said chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi during an interactive session with the Odia diaspora at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here on Friday. He also thanked all Odia brothers and sisters who came from far to participate in the convention.He said with the cooperation of the central govt, air services to and from the state have increased. "We are considering flights to countries like Kuwait and Qatar in the future," Majhi said.He said the diaspora can serve as a bridge, promoting Odia culture and traditions. "Despite living abroad, they are concerned about Odisha's development and identity and are working towards it," he added."After a new govt was formed, we had the unique opportunity to host a programme like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha for the first time. This convention provided an opportunity to commit to building a new and prosperous Odisha. Through this event, the diaspora has become a third engine for Odisha's development alongside the double engine," said Majhi.Interacting with the diaspora, Majhi said, "I always wished to visit a foreign country. But despite having a passport for the past 20 years, I never got a chance. Now with so many Odia brothers and sisters in foreign countries, I would like to visit you."He further said, "On this occasion, you have shared your valuable opinions. Commitments you made for the development of your homeland are truly commendable. The people's govt is dedicated to considering your proposals and giving them the importance they deserve. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath and our collective efforts, we are confident of building a ‘developed Odisha'."Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the country's greatest asset is intellectual human resource, of which the diaspora are an example. "You are symbols of Odia pride, culture and identity." He urged the diaspora to teach Odia to children at home. "Odisha has a wealth of tourism resources like forests, beaches and temples. Promote Odisha's tourism abroad." He encouraged adopting a job-creation approach instead of seeking jobs. Representatives from the diaspora, including Leena Mishra and Ajay K Mahanti from the US, Anil Das and Sheetal Joshi from Dubai, Prabhati Panigrahi and Amitabh Mahapatra from Australia, Brahmadatta from Thailand, and Snigdha Mishra from Malaysia, expressed gratitude and shared their experiences and insights about the event.