Bhubaneswar, Apr 1 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced that historic schools Satyabadi Bana and the nearby Bakula Bana in Puri district will be redeveloped as a heritage tourism site at a cost of Rs 585 crore.
Majhi visited Suando village in Satyabadi area, the birthplace of Utkalamani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, this morning and paid floral tribute to the statue of Das.
Addressing a gathering at an event organised at a nearby college to celebrate the statehood day, Majhi said the state government is committed to the development and beautification of the birthplace of Das.
The chief minister said that plans have been prepared for the development of Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya and the entire area at a cost of Rs 585 crore.
“About Rs 90 crore will be invested for the revival and development of the historic Bakula Bana. It will be transformed into a cultural, spiritual and educational centre and its historical identity will be protected,” he said.
“Along with this, Satyabadi area will be redeveloped at a cost of Rs 495 crore. A heritage corridor will be built and the project will start very soon,” he added.
Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya, an open-air school in Sakhigopal area in Puri district, was established in 1909 by Pandit Gopabandhu Das.
Five iconic leaders of Odisha — Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Pandit Krupasindhu Mishra, Acharya Harihar Das, Pandit Godavarish Mishra and Pandit Nilakantha Das — had founded the Bakul Bana Vidyalaya in the same area with students being taught in the natural environment.
Stating that his government is fully committed to the protection and promotion of ‘Odia Asmita’ (pride), Majhi said, “Along with economic growth, the development of our language, literature and culture is our priority.” “Lord Jagannath is the supreme deity of the Odia community. With his blessings, Odisha has crossed 90 glorious years and reached the present day. Our government is committed to the development of Mahaprabhu’s Shikshetra and the city of Puri.
“To spread the glory of Lord Jagannath, a world-class Shri Jagannath Museum and Library will be established in Puri at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore, and the glory of historical and spiritual places like Gundicha temple, Emar Mutt and Raghunandan Library will be restored,” he said.
To make Puri a modern tourist destination, the state government will implement the Shamuka Project in an area of 1,500 acres. This project will become one of the best tourist centres in the world with a combination of natural beaches and modern infrastructure, Majhi added.
He also said a World Tourism Centre and cruise terminal will be established in Puri.
Besides, steps are being taken to establish an airport in the seaside town. The Puri-Bhubaneswar national highway will also be widened, the CM said.
The chief minister, elaborating on the successes of his government in the last two years, said that the present dispensation has launched 109 projects worth Rs 2.4 lakh crore.
“These projects have created about 1,76,000 jobs. Therefore, the goal to build a prosperous Odisha will definitely be achieved,” he said.
The goal of a USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and a USD 1,500 billion economy by 2047 will also be achieved, Majhi added.
Meanwhile, Utkala Dibasa was celebrated in different parts of the state. Majhi attended the state-level celebration here this evening. Political parties, including BJP, BJD, Congress and CPI(M), also celebrated the day.
Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi demanded Bharat Ratna for Gopabandhu Das and Madhusudan Das posthumously.
“I met the chief minister and submitted a memorandum requesting him to send a proposal to the President and the prime minister for awarding Bharat Ratna to the two great sons of Odisha,” Sarangi said. PTI BBM BBM ACD
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