Bhubaneswar, Jan, 23: Efforts towards building a “Prosperous and Developed Odisha” by 2036 must begin from 2026, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He made this remark while releasing the novel “Dayanadiru Niranjana” (From the Daya River to Niranjana) written by eminent litterateur and Jnanpith Award winner Dr. Pratibha Ray.
Speaking as the chief guest at a programme held on Friday at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar, the Union Minister said that the responsibility of building a developed Odisha rests on the shoulders of over one crore children of the state. To make them courageous, self-reliant and confident, education in the mother tongue is essential, he said. He also stressed the need for a social movement in every village to ensure proper care and nutrition for newborn children.
He added that when every citizen becomes conscious of their duties, rights will remain protected and the dream of a prosperous Odisha will be realised.
Praising the book, Dharmendra Pradhan said that “Dayanadiru Niranjana” represents a unique confluence of Odisha’s glorious history and Buddhist philosophy. The Daya River stands as a silent witness to Emperor Ashoka’s transformation from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka, while on the banks of the Niranjana River, Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Through this novel, Dr. Ray has presented these historic transformations in a powerful literary form.
He noted that the eternal message of love, compassion and non-violence that emerged from these events continues to inspire human civilisation. The very historical incident that once stained the waters of the Daya River with blood later went on to show the world the path of peace. Expressing hope, he said the book would be widely appreciated by readers.
Among the other dignitaries present were Culture and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, the author Dr. Pratibha Ray, and Professor Basanta Panda, Project Director of the Eastern Regional Language Centre, among others.