Angul, Aug 27: On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Puja on Wednesday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects in Kanihan area in Odisha’s Angul district.

At the PM Shri Pabitra Mohan Government Higher Secondary School in Kanihan, the Minister launched projects worth over Rs5.8 crore, including the inauguration of newly constructed classrooms, a modern kitchen and dining hall, and the foundation stone for a 100-bed hostel and a science laboratory. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to provide quality education and improved facilities to students in rural Odisha.

କଣିହାଁ ସ୍ଥିତ ପିଏମ୍ ଶ୍ରୀ ପବିତ୍ର ମୋହନ ଉଚ୍ଚ ମାଧ୍ୟମିକ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ସହ ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନଭୋଜନରେ ପ୍ରସାଦ ସେବନ କରିବା ମୋ ପାଇଁ ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ଅନୁଭୂତି । ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ କାମନା କରୁଛି । pic.twitter.com/FlP3Qj32Os

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 27, 2025

In a symbolic gesture of community engagement, Pradhan joined students for a mid-day meal at the newly inaugurated dining hall, interacting with them. He emphasized that providing quality education and adequate infrastructure remains the government’s top priority under the National Education Policy.

The Minister also performed the bhoomi pujan for the proposed ‘Prajamandal Bhavan’, a memorial building dedicated to the legacy of late Pabitra Mohan Pradhan, former Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha and a key figure in the Prajamandal movement. Pradhan stated that the building would serve as a historical and educational resource for future generations.

କଣିହାଁ ଠାରେ ଡ଼ିଏମଏଫ ପାଣ୍ଠିରୁ ନିର୍ମିତ ହୋଇଥିବା ‘ଟିକିରା ନଦୀ ବ୍ରିଜ’ର ଉଦଘାଟନ କଲି । ଏହି ନୂତନ ସେତୁ ସ୍ଥାନୀୟ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଯୋଗାଯୋଗ ଭିତ୍ତିଭୂମି, ବାଣିଜ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟବସାୟ, ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନ ଏବଂ ଆର୍ଥିକ ଅଭିବୃଦ୍ଧିକୁ ମଜଭୂତ୍ କରିବ । pic.twitter.com/g1cCJJQsrE

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 27, 2025

In a major boost to regional connectivity, Pradhan inaugurated the Tikira River Bridge, constructed under the DMF initiative. He noted that the bridge would strengthen local transportation, trade, tourism, and economic development.
During his visit, the Minister paid floral tributes at the statue of freedom fighter Pabitra Mohan Pradhan and the Prajamandal Martyrs’ Memorial, honouring the sacrifices made during Odisha’s freedom movement. He was warmly welcomed by residents and local leaders across various locations in Kanihan.

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These projects, supported by CSR contributions from Jindal, MCL, and NTPC, are expected to significantly benefit students and the broader community, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and educational excellence.