As many as 35 schools in Malkangiri, 76 in Balasore, 28 in Gajapati, 63 in Dhenkanal, 45 in Keonjhar and 80 in Cuttack have been transformed under 5T Initiative of Odisha government.

Total 1,794 schools across the state will be covered in this phase of the transformation programme. In the earlier 3 phases, 6,883 schools have undergone developmental changes.

Speaking on the second day of 4thphase of school transformation, the chief minister said the government has taken up transformation of schools, colleges, tourist places, temples, mutts and hospitals as part of the government’s efforts to build a strong Odisha.

“Schools play an important role in deciding the future of any race. Education shows the way to the society to development and progress. Hence, the government attaches importance to school transformation,” he said.

Equipped with smart classrooms, computers and laboratory with latest equipment, the transformed schools offer an ideal environment for the students for learning, he said.

Advising the students to adopt the principles of 5T in their lives, Naveen said, “The government has made provision of 15% reservation for them in medical and engineering institutions. It would ensure a bright future for them.”

Several MLAs, MPs and senior officials participated in the event.

The Odisha government is spending around Rs 200 crore for the implementation of the Samaleswari Temple Area Management and Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) project in Sambalpur.

During his visit to Sambalpur, Pandian held a meeting at the conference hall in the district collector’s office for a thorough review of the progress made in the project. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including RDC, Sambalpur collector and commissioner of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC), sources said.

The 5T Chairman also visited Maa Samaleswari Temple and offered prayers before the goddess. He went around AAMALEI project site and took stock of the ongoing work.

The Chief Minister is slated to inaugurate the project which has been taken up for the beautification and peripheral development of the temple, heritage corridor, state-of-the-art amenities and the Mahanadi riverfront development.

He was accompanied by Balasore MP & ex-minister Pratap Sarangi.

Sources said that Vaishnaw will then participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at Remuna Hanuma Kalyan Mandap.

He is scheduled to dedicate the Balasore-Gopinathpur passenger line in Balasore district and flag off Gopinathpur (Nilagiri)-Balasore new MEMU train service between 11.30 am and 2 pm. With the inauguration of the line, people of Nilagiri, the first princely state to merge with Odisha after the country’s independence, will be able to avail of passenger train services for the first time. Three pairs of MEMU trains will run on the route daily.

The railway line was opened in 1909 and a private company then used it for granite transportation from Nilagiri to Kolkata. Later, the line was left unused.

The Rail Minister will then visit Nilagiri Jagannath Temple and attend some programmes at Bada Sahi. He will then meet people over ‘Cha Khatti’ in the evening.

Vaishnaw is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of other railway projects at Betanoti in Mayurbhanj district. As a part of providing more passenger amenities and safety, a subway will be constructed at Betnoti station. Vaishnaw will lay foundation stone of this subway. It will ensure smooth entry and exit of passengers to the station. Local residents can commute through the subway without crossing the railway track, the ECoR said on Friday.

The chief minister launched the e-Abedan app which is a user-friendly platform meant for streamlining licence and permission procedures. He also inaugurated the Unified Command and Control Centre (UCCC) to enhance public safety through real-time monitoring and coordination for swift responses and improved law enforcement.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “The Commissionerate Police has grown substantially during its journey of 16 years. Today, 52 police stations are functioning under it.”

“I have always emphasised on citizen centric and citizen friendly policing. Over last several years, the Commissionerate Police has taken up a number of drives to connect to several vulnerable sections of society including slum dwellers, senior citizens and children. It has also taken up initiative for spreading cyber crime awareness in educational institutions,” he said.

Stating that security of women is a top priority of the government, he said the police must work towards creating confidence among victims by taking a sensible and empathetic approach.

“I am glad to learn that Commissionerate Police achieved significant increase in conviction rate last year. I am happy that feedbacks on implementation of 5T have been quite good. I will be very happy if the experience of visitors to police stations is improved further,” he added.

Over 300 police officers, including DGP AK Sarangi, Commissioner of Police SK Priyadarsi, Additional Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar DCP, Cuttack DCP, senior police officers and retired police personnel attended the function. The Chief Minister awarded prizes to police officers for their exemplary service.

He also inaugurated the new terminal building of the Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

The two-level terminal building has been developed at a cost of over ₹1100 crore. It has the capacity to serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3,500 during peak hours, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said a release.

While addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, ” “I wish that the year 2024 is peaceful and prosperous for everyone. It is a privilege that my first public programme in 2024 is happening in Tamil Nadu. Today development projects worth nearly ₹20,000 Cr will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s progress. I congratulate you for these projects…”

Expressing his pain over the loss of lives in Tamil Nadu due to recent rains and floods, he said, “The last few weeks of 2023 were difficult for many people in Tamil Nadu. We lost many of our fellow citizens due to heavy rainfall. There has also been a significant loss of property… The central government stands with the people of Tamil Nadu in this time of crisis. We are providing every possible support to the state government.”

PM Modi reached Tiruchirappalli where he was received by state chief minister MK Stalin and Governor RN Ravi. He participated in the 38th Convocation Ceremony of the Bharathidasan University.

While addressing the event, he quoted the ‘Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom’ Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, and said it meant creating a brave new world which is also the university’s motto.

He also said the Indian youth were already creating such a world. The Indian scientists are on the world map through missions like Chandrayaan-3 and ‘our innovators took the number of patents from around 4,000 in 2014 to almost 50,000 now.’

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 2-3.

This is a major initiative to boost football development in India. AIFF and FIFA are partnering with the Government of Odisha in establishing this academy. 50 talented football players In the under 14 years category will be selected for the academy from across the country, including 15 Odisha players. The Academy will be headed by a FIFA-appointed coach along with various coaches and staff from AIFF and Govt of Odisha.

The Chief Minister said, “ Football is a popular game in India especially among the younger generation. There is a lot of talent in football in India and with proper coaching facilities, our team can perform very well in future. I am happy that we are able to partner with FIFA and AIFF to create such academies. Odisha will support football Projects and work in close collaboration with AIFF for football promotion in India”.

Shri VK Pandian Chairman 5T & Navin Odisha interacted with Arsene Wenger during his visit to the stadium. Sh Pandian showed the upcoming sports science centre in Kalinga Stadium to Mr Wenger, who was impressed with the commitment of the state towards sports development.

Also present on this occasion were Sports Minister Shri Tusharkanti Behera, President of All India Football Federation, Kalyan Chaubey, Chief Secretary P K Jena, DC Anu Garg and Sports Secretary Vineel Krishna.

These include Shephalee Creche, KIIT Public School, Jayanta Mahapatra Public Library, Baba Ram Narayan Das Prasad Sevan Kendra and KIIT Souvenir Gallery.

KIIT-KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta and President Saswati Bal, Founder President of Unit-1 Ram Temple Baba Ram Narayan Das and other senior functionaries of KIIT attended the inaugural function.

With Dr Samanta always given importance to the welfare of KIIT and KISS employees and staff, the various projects and programmes have been taken up for the benefit of employees and their families.

Admission to the public school will be for children of KIIT-KISS employees who earn less than Rs 30,000 per month. These employees can now provide English medium education to their kids under CBSE curriculum at KIIT Public School.

The airconditioned Jayanta Mahapatra Public Library, named after eminent bilingual Odia poet Padmashree Jayanta Mahapatra, has been established near KIIT Gundicha Temple.

Subsidised ‘prasad sevan’ will be available at KIIT Gundicha Temple complex for the benefit of patient attendants coming to Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences. The ‘prasad’ will be available from KIIT Jagannath Temple for Rs 30 per person at the place named after spiritual leader Baba Narayan Das.

KIIT Souvenir Gallery offers a diverse range of unique souvenirs representing cultures worldwide, especially rich Odia handicrafts and KIIT University-branded merchandise for students, staff, alumni, and visitors.

Addressing the students and dignitaries, the CM said that technology is the pivot of our future. “Our growth, our wellbeing … everything is dependent on our hold on advanced and emerging technologies. We must therefore keep ourselves engaged with the latest technology, and stay ahead,” he said.

He said that the carnival has been conceived to engage students in technical, cultural and sports activities. “It will be a calendar event to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work, sincerity and dedication of our students.”

Naveen further said that Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) is a pre-eminent institution in the realm of technical education and has produced many brilliant technocrats contributing immensely to the development of the state and the country.

He emphasised that Odisha has made great strides in skilling its youth, making them employable and transforming the state into the skill capital of the World. “World Skill Center is a premier institute providing advanced skill training in several trades. Our efforts have been highly effective in making our children globally employable,” he said.

The vans, called “Cyber Safety Awareness Raths’, will travel to schools, colleges and panchayats across the state to spread awareness about cyber safety.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the cybercrime, which has been rising alarmingly in the last few years, has become a major concern across the country. Since awareness and preventive measures are only way to check the crime, this campaign has been launched in the state.

Ministers Tusarkanti Behera and Ashok Panda, Bhubaneswar MLAs Anant Narayan Jena and Sushant Raut, Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das, chief secretary PK Jena, DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal and other senior officials were present.

As part of the campaign, the district administrations will receive the Cyber Safety Awareness Raths and send those to at least two educational institutions every day to conduct awareness programmes. Besides, awareness programmes will be organised at public places in blocks and police station areas. Quiz competitions will also be conducted among students in schools and colleges.

The 17-acre facility, built at an estimated cost of Rs 90.20 crore, can accommodate 190 buses at a time.

The foundation stone for CNBT was laid by the CM on January 23, 2021, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who was born in Cuttack and spent his early childhood here.

Apart from dedicating the bus terminal, Naveen also laid the foundation stone for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial, which will be constructed at an estimated coast of Rs 22 crore.

CHECK THE FEATURES OF THE NEW BUS TERMINAL

1. A three-storey bus terminal building has been erected over two acre land with separate dormitories for male and female passengers and staff, eight private rooms, commercial area, infant care rooms and waiting lounges. It also has a food court, ATMs and a cloakroom.
2. 180 bus bays have been constructed to accommodate 190 buses at a time on a sprawling 15 acre of land. There are five parking bus bays for 117 buses, 72 idle buses and two emergency vehicles.
3. Separate route and space have been allocated for local and Mo Bus services on the premises. There are dedicated entry and exit gates for smooth flow of inter-district and long-route buses, which has a separate path at the terminal.
4. There is also provision for parking of 275 cars and 1,695 seats spread across the terminal building and bus bays for the passengers.
5. The bus terminal has an Integrated Passenger Management System (IPMS) with three master display and 94 numbers of two line display which will make the journey hassle-free for the passengers.
6. There is also a state-of-the-art Aahaar Centre, which can accommodate around 1,000 people at a time, and Mission Shakti Cafe.
7. It also has a sewage treatment plant, rainwater harvesting system, plantation, toilets with a capacity of 122 closets and 91 urinals, solar panel system with a capacity of 40 KW, drinking water units, police outpost, 32 shops, CCTV surveillance and drainage system within its boundaries.
8. Two channels have been constructed for water to drain out of the bus terminus in case of heavy rainfall.