Bhubaneswar: Panchayat samitis will identify a ‘Kasturaba Model Panchayat’ in each block and spread Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy like 100 per cent women literacy, sanitation and development of cottage industry in the block.
This was revealed at a state-level administrative committee meeting on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary organised at the Lok Seva Bhawan here recently.
According to Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, a book will be published on Mahatma Gandhi’s trips to Odisha which would encourage the youths to follow in his footsteps.
“Mahatma Gandhi had visited Odisha at least eight times. The rare photographs of his Odisha visits and public meetings will find place in the book,” Mohapatra said.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy asked the officials to ensure that the roads named after Mahatma Gandhi and localities housing Gandhi’s statue are kept encroachment-free.
Odia Language Literature and Culture director Bijay Kumar Nayak said that Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations that began in Odisha in 2018 will continue till October 2, 2020.
“The state government has sanctioned Rs 2 lakh to each of the districts in order to celebrate Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. Besides, at least 17 institutions in the state associated with Gandhi have been facilitated with Rs 19,15,000 to celebrate the occasion. Moreover, saplings have been planted at around 150 strategic locations in the state,” Nayak said.