Odisha has grown from agri-centric to an industry-driven economy: CM

BHUBANESWAR: During the much-awaited interaction with the Odia diaspora in Dubai on Wednesday, chief minister Naveen Patnaik dwelt at length on his government’s socio-economic development efforts that are fast converting the once agrarian economy into a thriving industrial one.
“In the last two decades, Odisha’s economy has grown tenfold from Rs 46,000 crore to more than Rs 5 lakh crore. From an agri-centric economy, Odisha has emerged as a major industry-driven economy and become the manufacturing hub of eastern India,” Naveen told the diaspora.
More than 400 Non-Resident Odias (NROs) attended the event. The CM also took some questions from the expatriates. “Apana maane khusi ta (Are you all happy)?” Naveen asked to a thunderous applause.
Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said the entire world has taken note of the good governance in Odisha. Citing the example of Indian hockey, he said it was after the country’s Olympics win that people realised how chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s visionary initiative had helped the sport regain its lost glory. Food supplies & consumer welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and MLA Debi Prasad Misha also spoke during the interactive session.
The NROs were shown a short video on the Odisha growth story in the last two decades, comparing the current situation with what it was before Naveen took over the reins of the state.
“It was a lively interactive session with the chief minister and his team. The diaspora got a glimpse into Odisha’s phenomenal growth story in the past two decades,” said Amiya Mishra, president of the Odia Samaj in UAE.
Priaydarshee Panigrahi, senior general manager of an Indian FMCG MNC in Dubai, said the Odia community of UAE was delighted to meet the chief minister in Dubai.
“It’s a wonderful feeling as an Odia to see him and welcome him in person on a foreign land. The buzz that his visit and interaction with all of us has generated is phenomenal. Odisha’s success on many fronts is being showcased on the world stage and it feels very good.”
Captain Soumyaranjan Patnaik, president of a Dubai-based large shipping company and an NRO, too, echoed similar sentiments. “This buzz will indeed create positive sentiments towards foreign investments and greater socio-cultural exchanges between the NROs and the state,” he said.