Keonjhar: On maiden visit to home district Keonjhar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Monday landed at Raikala, his native village, on the second day of his two-day tour. Majhi left for Raikala by helicopter from Keonjhar headquarters town at around 10.30am Monday. Thousands of people from the surrounding villages flocked to Raikala to get a glimpse of the new Chief Minister and welcome him. It was as if a festival erupted in his birthplace to welcome Majhi amid traditional music and dance performances.
The local administration had already repaired the road, and cleaned and beautified the village. From the helipad at Raikala village, the CM led a roadshow to Jhumpura. He stepped into the Jhumpura High School, his alma mater, and spent some time with his old classmates. “After an interaction, we also took a group photo,” said Taranisen Mohanta, one of Majhi’s classmates. Majhi later attended a felicitation meeting held on the Durga temple ground at Jhumpura market. People from various sections and outfits including party leaders and workers gave floral greetings to the CM. “Your Mohan Bhai is the son of this soil. He will work for the development of not only Jhumpura but the entire district. You can come to Bhubaneswar and meet me whenever you want,” Majhi said. “With your blessings, all four doors of Srimandir in Puri have been opened for devotees. The barrier between the deity and the devotee has been lifted,” he said. “Since the day I have become the CM, I have been sleeping at 3 o’clock at night. Because I want no one to return without meeting me,” he added. Later, Majhi was welcomed with traditional dance as he visited his modest residence at Raikala village, where his mother Nathmani Majhi fed him with her hands ‘Pakhala’ and fried veggies. Majhi then went to the temporary CM office built in the village and heard the grievances of the people. Later he returned to Bhubaneswar by helicopter.