Prime Minister
Camp Office, Dibrugarh
Chaitra 11, Shaka Samvat 1948
01 April, 2026
Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Ji,
Jai Jagannath!
Greetings to you and my sisters and brothers of Odisha on the special occasion of Utkala Dibasa.
One can only marvel at Odisha, its glorious history and the people of this exceptional state. Odia culture is a civilisational treasure.
Odisha has the power to mesmerise everyone. After all, it is here that the powerful Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the Sun Temple in Konark and several other such iconic places have been built and continue to thrive in the present. There are several temples dedicated to Devi Maa across the state. In Odisha, one can find a blend of devotion and artistic excellence.
Across India and the world, Odissi dance has become very popular. The state’s rich musical traditions, festivals and folk practices reflect a society deeply connected to its spiritual roots. Tribal communities of Odisha too have added a unique dimension to the state. Equally noteworthy is Odisha’s extraordinary craftsmanship, an example of which is the vibrant Pattachitra art.
I can confidently say that it is the people of Odisha who embody its true greatness. The courage of Buxi Jagabandhu and Veer Surendra Sai is widely known. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Harekrushna Mahtab, Malati Choudhury, Sarala Devi, Parbati Giri and countless others have left an indelible mark on our history. This is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik, whose life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building. Biju Babu’s multifaceted persona inspires us all.
Odia people have been making rich contributions to the nation across several fields. They have made a mark in trade and commerce, there are many outstanding academics and researchers, sportspersons, artists and more.
I have been interacting with people of Odisha for a very long time. When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I used to frequently interact with Odia people in various programmes. Whenever I would meet them, I would always notice the pride they have towards their roots. In fact, I would always point out the similarities between Gujarat and Odisha…both states have iconic Sun Temples (in Konark and Modhera) and are associated with grand Rath Yatras. In fact, the Chief Minister of Gujarat has to perform the Pahind Vidhi (Pahandi Vidhi) at the start of the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. It was always a very special experience to do so.
My close interaction with Odisha has continued after I took oath as Prime Minister. I consider it my privilege and the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath that over the last decade, I have got the chance to work towards the progress of Odisha and the prosperity of its people. A glimpse of this can be seen in the fact that this year has seen the highest allocation of funds in railways and roads to Odisha. The railway allocation for Odisha has increased sharply to Rs. 10,600 crore in 2025–26, as against an average of Rs. 838 crore per year during 2009–14. This is giving fresh momentum to connectivity and logistics. Further, our focus on boosting connectivity will aid tourism in Odisha, which is blessed with both nature and culture, with the potential of attracting tourists from across the world.
We have also worked to enable a better life for the people of tribal communities in Odisha, through the saturation of various flagship schemes. Particularly, the PM-JANMAN scheme is working to address the aspirations of the poorest and most vulnerable groups among tribals.
The NDA Government at the Centre is also supporting Odisha’s emergence as a major maritime and industrial state through port-led development, including the ecosystem around Paradip, the upcoming LNG terminals at Paradip and Gopalpur and the wider potential of projects such as Bahuda Port and the Mahanadi riverine shipbuilding and port initiative. It is heartening to see fisheries gaining popularity in Odisha. In the recent Mann Ki Baat episode, I had talked about a fish farmer from Odisha.
The proposed Dedicated Rare Earth Corridor, complementing the scheme approved to build a domestic rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturing ecosystem will further strengthen Odisha’s role in strategic minerals and advanced manufacturing.
Odisha is also steadily emerging as a promising destination in India’s semiconductor journey, with recent sectoral approvals reflecting growing confidence in its potential for high-technology and future-ready manufacturing.
I have listed just a few instances, but the scope of work being done is extensive and transformative.
One of the things which I am very proud of is our Government’s success against Left-Wing Extremism. Just a few days ago, in the Parliament, the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah gave an outstanding, fact-filled account of the progress made on this front. While the NDA Government was rightly focused on worked on uprooting the menace of Maoism, we have also been working towards giving a life of dignity to those harassed by LWE. A state like Odisha can greatly appreciate these efforts because LWE violence has played a major role in slowing Odisha’s development trajectory.
I would also like to express my appreciation for you and the Odisha Government for the exceptional work that you have been doing over the last two years. The people have placed immense faith in this team and I am confident that no stone will be left unturned to fulfil people’s dreams.
The Subhadra Yojana has emerged as a major instrument of women empowerment. Over 1 crore women beneficiaries have got a better quality of life, with the scheme bringing financial support, confidence and dignity to our Nari Shakti. I also commend Odisha for being a leading state in creating Lakhpati Didis.
Odisha’s industrial progress is equally heartening. The laying of foundation stones and inauguration of over a hundred major projects, with record investment and employment potential for lakhs of people, reflect clear momentum in implementation, demonstrating that investment in Odisha is being translated into productive assets, employment and opportunity.
I would also like to specially appreciate the efforts of your Government in strengthening Odia Asmita and in preserving and promoting the Odia language, culture and heritage.
One of the areas where the Centre will continue supporting Odisha is sports and youth empowerment. Odisha being selected to host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships is a matter of pride for the entire nation. Such sporting tournaments will showcase the strength and potential of Odisha to the world.
In a decade from now, Odisha will complete 100 years since it was made a new state. I urge you and your team to think of what more can be collectively done for the progress of Odisha.
Once again, my best wishes on Utkala Dibasa. I am confident that, with the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and the energy and aspiration of its people, Odisha will continue to attain new milestones of prosperity. The Government of India will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Odisha in advancing our shared resolve of Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat.
Yours,
(Narendra Modi)
