Argus News - President Murmu Arrives in Puri after Concluding Balasore Visit

Puri/Balasore, Feb 3: President Droupadi Murmu has arrivedin Puri along with her family on Tuesday afternoon after concluding her Balasore visit earlier in the day.

Travelling by a special Indian Air Force helicopter, she landed at the Talabania helipad. The President of India was warmly received by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CM Pravati Parida, local MLAs, Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida, and SP Prateek Singh.

From the helipad, her motorcade proceeded through Chakratirth Road to Lok Bhavan, where she will spend the night.

Also read: President Murmu to Visit Jajpur, Balasore and Puri Today

Earlier in the day, President Murmu, arriving ahead of schedule, attended the 12th Convocation Ceremony of Fakir Mohan University in Balasore. She paid floral tribute to the statue of noted poet Fakir Mohan Senapati at the university gate.

The President of India was accompanied by Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santosh Kumar Tripathy, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and Lok Sabha MP Pratap Sarangi. President Murmu then unveiled a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The President, in her address, praised Odisha’s rich cultural and literary heritage, noting that the land has produced many luminaries. “This land has given birth to many Baraputras and illuminated countless talents. From Bhakta Kabi to Byasa Kabi, their lives have been inspirations for Utkal,” said Droupadi Murmu. “Balasore and Bhadrak has played a significant role during the freedom struggle.”

Recalling her student days, she said: “Fakir Mohan Senapati’s story - ‘Rebati’ - deeply influenced me. Fakir Mohan has always been a source of inspiration for me. For the education of girls, he hd established a girls’ school.”

President Murmu also noted that how women’s achievements have grown over the years. “At this university, female students outnumber male students among graduates. Out of 15 medal recipients, the majority are women,” she stated.

“In winning gold medals too, girls have played a greater role. They have excelled not only in academics but also in literature, dance, and other fields,” she added.

She praised the Indian visually impaired women’s cricket team. President Murmu conferred honorary doctorates on athlete Anuradha Biswal, Odissi musician Gopal Chandra Panda, and writer Santanu Acharya.

Read more: President Murmu Offers Prayers at Maa Biraja Temple

The President also advised the Vice-Chancellor to adopt five villages as model communities. She urged the university to closely observe the villagers’ lifestyle and understand the ground realities. She also praised the university’s research work on blue-blood crabs.

During the convocation, 101 students received gold medals, 89 were awarded PhDs, and 15 students were personally felicitated by the President.

Later, the President of India enjoyed a traditional Odia lunch featuring usuna rice, dal, badi chura, boitalu bara, simba rai, manja rai, baigana bhaja, bhendi curry, chhena poda, rasagola, and salad, showcasing the state’s culinary heritage.