Gandhi Jayanti / Gandhi, Shastri Ideals Will Continue to Inspire India: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar, Oct 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said that the ideals, sacrifice and selfless service of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri continue to serve as guiding forces for the nation and will inspire generations of Indians.

Paying floral tributes to the two iconic leaders on their birth anniversaries at a programme held on the premises of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, CM Majhi said Gandhi’s contribution extended far beyond securing India’s Independence. He noted that the Father of the Nation offered the world a transformative path based on morality, truth, non-violence, Satyagraha and non-cooperation.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Gandhi envisioned a society where the welfare of the poorest and most marginalised remained at the centre of governance. He highlighted Gandhiji’s emphasis on cleanliness, service to the last person in society and the promotion of Swadeshi.

“Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mahatma Gandhi’s vision is being translated into reality,” CM Majhi said. He added that cleanliness has evolved into a nationwide movement, while the Swadeshi philosophy is contributing significantly to the goal of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Chief Minister further stressed that welfare initiatives such as the Antyodaya Yojana aim to ensure the benefits of development reach the poorest sections of society, thereby empowering the underprivileged and strengthening inclusive growth.

Remembering former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, CM Majhi described him as an apostle of peace whose simple living, integrity and commitment to public service remain exemplary. He said Shastri’s famous call of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” had galvanised the nation and continues to resonate with citizens across generations.
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CM Majhi asserted that Odisha would continue to draw inspiration from Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence and Shastri’s dedication to duty and nation-building. “Our efforts towards building a Samruddha Odisha and a Viksit Bharat will continue with these ideals as our foundation,” he said.

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy and several Ministers, legislators and senior leaders attended the programme. An all-faith prayer meeting and a rendition of Gandhi’s favourite devotional hymn, Ram Dhun, were also organised by the Information and Public Relations Department.