Around 70 boatmen from different districts participated in the boat race at Tentuli ghat of Mahanadi. The boat race has been organised on the occasion of Kartik Purnima every year for the last 60 years.

During the competition, two boatmen on each country boat rowed in the river from Tentuli ghat to next ghat for a stretch of nearly 2 km. The winners of the race were felicitated at the end of the competition which was organised by Bhagavat Pathagar.

Sonepur SP Sumati Tripathy and OPDC chairman Abhimanyu Kushal were among others who were present during the boat race.

Besides promoting the skills of the boatmen, the boat race has been held in memory of the ancient trade practices on water routes in the district.

Twelve Assembly constituencies of Ganjam district have been granted Rs 251.50 crore under the scheme. As many as 5,706 projects in 503 panchayats under 22 blocks of the district will be executed with the fund. Assembly segments of Bhanjanagar, Chhatrapur, Khallikote, Digapahandi, Sorada, Sanakhemundi, Gopalpur, Aska, Chikiti, Hinjili, Polasara and Kabisuryanagar will be covered under the programme.

Similarly, Rs 54.50 crore has been sanctioned for two Assembly constituencies of Sonepur district. The constituencies are Sonepur and Biramaharajpur. Altogether 1419 projects will be implemented in 109 panchayats under six blocks of the district.

As per the provision, each panchayat will get Rs 50 lakh for implementation of various projects, official sources said.

Launching the scheme through video-conference from Bhubaneswar, the chief minister said that apart from ensuring speedy development of villages and panchayats, the scheme aims at promotion, preservation and protection of the Jagannath culture and tradition of the state.

Stressing that Odisha has always been rooted in its tradition, culture and history, he said Odisha is the land that gave Jagannath culture to the world. It propagates universal love, service and equality. It is based on inclusiveness and embraces everyone irrespective of caste and community.

Stating that development of digital infrastructure is one of the objectives of the scheme, the Chief Minister said internet connectivity, skill development centre, works hub and banking facilities are its other features. It will also open up vast opportunities for youths, women and farmers in rural areas, he said.

The CM said that primary schools of villages would be roped in this programme, which seeks to strengthen rural infrastructure in the state.

It would bring a lot of opportunities for youths, women, students and further brighten the identity of Odisha as a modern, progressive, empowered, and cultured state.

The Chief Minister sought the cooperation of all for the successful implementation of the programme which would bring confidence among the people in villages.

The scheme was launched with a budget provision of Rs 3397 crore. Total 90,723 projects will be implemented in 6794 panchayats across the state and an amount of Rs 10 lakh will be allocated for every village as part of the scheme.