Bhubaneswar: The 65th Republic Day was
celebrated across Odisha with gaiety and enthusiasm on Sunday
amidst tightened security in view of a boycott call by
Maoists.
Governor SC Jamir unfurled the tri-colour at the main
function on Mahatma Gandhi Road here, while Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik did so at the historic Barabati stadium in
Cuttack.
Patnaik in his speech urged the people to work with
commitment to ensure speedy development as a developed India
as well as a prosperous Odisha was the goal.
Democracy had been strengthened in the country over
the years since Independence and balanced development and
progress would ensure proper empowerment of all sections of
the society and enable everyone, including the poor to live
with dignity.
While people's faith in democracy had grown, the
administration has also become responsive, Patnaik said and
asked the people work sincerely to protect democratic and
secular values.
Tight security arrangements had been made in
Maoist-hit Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati
and Nuapada districts in view of the boycott call by the
ultras.
No untoward incident was, however, reported from
anywhere in the state.
Suspected Maoists put up black flags in some pockets
of Chitrakonda and Kalimela areas in Malkangiri district, the
sources said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 26, 2014, 23:27
