Patriotic fervour grips city
Bhubaneswar: The city celebrated the 72nd Independence Day Wednesday with fun and fervour. The smart city’s denizens braved the rains to witness the Independence Day celebrations held at Mahatma Gandhi Marg here Wednesday. The entire stretch of the street was vibrating with thumping patriotic songs and people flaunting the tricolour flags to showcase their patriotism.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unfurled the national flag at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg while gracing the state-level Independence Day celebration here at the capital city. Paying his tributes to the freedom fighters and martyred, the Chief Minister also remembered the great sons of Odisha, who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle of the country. Naveen in his speech remembered Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Madhusudan Das, Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, Gopabandhu Chowdhury, Nabakrushna Chowdhury, Ramadevi, Malati Chowdhury, Parbati Giri, Shaheed Lakhshman Naik, Dr Harekrushna Mahatab and Biju Patnaik for their noble contributions to the freedom and sovereignty of the motherland.
He reminded that universal brotherhood, harmony, peace and prosperity are the main mantras of our state.
Bravehearts awarded
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decorated policemen, fire personnel and two children with medals in an investiture ceremony at Jaydev Bhawan here in the capital city Wednesday.
Naveen said, “I would like to congratulate all the awardees, including the very brave children who are awarded with the Jeevan Rakshya Padak.”
The illustrious kids were Mamata Dalei of Kendrapada district and Pankaj Mahanta of Mayurbhanj.
While Mamata saved her elder sister from the deadly jaws of a crocodile April 7 last year, Pankaj saved three women from drowning in Baitarani river May 22 last year.
In her reactions, Mamata said, “My elder sister had been to the pond near our house when she was attacked by a crocodile. I found a stick there. I pierced it through its eyes following which the crocodile released my sister. I pulled out my sister. Hearing our screams, our relatives reached there and rushed us to the medical.”
“I’m extremely happy to receive the award from the Chief Minister,” she added.
Narrating his bravery story Pankaj said, “May 22, when we were at the Baitarani river to take a bath, a woman slipped into the water and was dragged into the whirlwind. To save her, two other women also jumped into the water. They were also drowning. Noticing this, I immediately jumped into the river and saved one first. Gradually, I saved all the three one after another.”
“I volunteered and mustered courage as I found no man present there dared to save them,” he commented.