Chandragiri: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Gajapati Thursday and inaugurated 129 projects worth Rs 67 crore. The CM also laid the foundation stone of 98 developmental projects to be built at a cost of Rs 14 crore.
After his arrival in a chopper at Chandragiri helipad, the CM was given a rousing reception by party leaders and Tibetans in Chandragiri. He then proceeded to the Buddhist temple at Giranga under Mohana block and unveiled the statue of Maharaja Padmasambhava in Padmasambhava Sagar near the temple. He unveiled a statue at the request of the Tibetans.
Later, he proceeded to the meeting venue. Addressing the meeting, the Cm said the state government always strives for protection of ancient Buddhist relics and for promotion of tourism in the state as the relationship of Buddhism with the state is very ancient.
Addressing a meeting, Rajya Sabha MP Achyut Samant said former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had given shelter to Tibetans in the state in 1960 while his son has come here to join in their celebrations. He said, this is a historic day due to the visit of the Chief Minister to the area for the first time. Tibetan Guru Jigme Rimpochhe , Junior Gurji Khempo Pema,, Polsara MLA Srikant Sahu, Gopalpur MLA Pradip Panigrahi and a host of others and Tibetans attended the meeting.
PNN