At state-level I-Day celebration, Odisha CM pays tribute to Covid warriors

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday paid tribute to the Covid warriors, who have succumbed to the virus, at the state level Independence Day celebration here. In his address to the people of the state after unfurling the tricolour, Naveen lauded the selfless service of the Covid warriors in the fight against the pandemic.
Naveen, who attended the first public event on Saturday since beginning of the Covid-induced lockdown in March, said his government is trying to give best of the treatment to the Covid patients in the state.
“No a single Covid-19 patient in Odisha should deprive of treatment because of financial constraints. The state government is providing universal care for Covid patients completely free of cost. Every life is precious for us and we have been fighting the pandemic with this mission,” said Naveen in his address.
Stating that the pandemic has emerged as a big challenge not only for the country but for the entire human race, the chief minister said it has impacted all sectors.
“Covid-19 has impacted education, health, economy and transport sector and the society as well. Several people have lost their livelihoods across the globe. The pandemic can be brought under control when a vaccine comes but we have to take bold steps to revive the economy and loss on society,” said Naveen on the occasion.
To revive the economic activities during the lockdown, Naveen said several steps were taken by his government. “Agriculture operations, construction activities and employment generation programmes have been taken up. Various assistances have been given to poor and labourers. Odisha has received investment worth Rs 12,000 crore during the lockdown period,” said Naveen.
Naveen said Odisha has toppled Maharashtra in attracting highest live investment during first half of the 2019-20 financial year while Odisha has recorded 7.61 per cent growth in agriculture sector against national growth rate of 2.8 per cent in 2019-20.
In his speech, Naveen also highlighted the steps taken by his government like establishment of dedicated Covid hospitals in all districts and establishment of five plasma banks.
“The way our Covid warriors are fighting the pandemic, there is no comparison to it. It’s because of their dedication and selfless service, the recovery rate is good in Odisha while our fatality rate is one of the lowest in the country. We are truly indebted to the Covid warriors. Their selfless service and our cooperation will be instrumental to win the war against the virus,” said Naveen.
Stating that Odisha has braved faced many adversities in the past, the chief minister said, “We will beat the virus.”
Amid the pandemic, the Independence Day was celebrated across the state without any public participation. Covid warriors and plasma donors were invited as guests to the celebration both at the state level function and in various districts as well.
Interestingly, Naveen’s private secretary VK Pandian, who is also serving as 5T secretary, drove Naveen to the state-level Independence Day celebration venue at Idco Exhibition Ground here. It was hardly seen in the recent past, when a senior IAS officer, driving the chief minister’s vehicle.
Sources said the senior bureaucrat was driving the CM’s vehicle to ensure social distancing for the chief minister.
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