PM Modi launches 105 projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore, unveils Odisha Vision Document
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched 105 development projects valued at over Rs 18,600 crores, unveiled the 'Odisha Vision Document' and flagged off new trains during his visit to the state.
He also felicitated several people, including 'Lakhpati Didis' and others.
Modi, who visited Odisha for the sixth time since the BJP government was formed in the state in June 2024, launched the projects at a function at Janata Maidan here.
The projects launched by the Prime Minister included drinking water and irrigation, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, national highways and railway infrastructure.
Modi flagged off the first passenger train to Boudh district after inaugurating the Sonepur-Purunakatak railway line. Railway projects such as the third and fourth rail lines between Sarla-Sason and the fourth rail line between Jharsuguda-Jamga were also launched.
This apart, Modi also flagged off 100 electric buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) system, promoting eco-friendly urban mobility.
Prepared following people's feedback, the Prime Minister unveiled the 'Odisha Vision Document', the roadmap for the state's development goals, anchored around the centenary of Odisha's formation as a linguistic state in 2036 and India's 100 years of independence in 2047.
The vision aims to transform Odisha into a Dollar 500 billion economy by 2036 and a Dollar 1.5 trillion economy by 2047.
The Prime Minister also launched 'Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana', an initiative to transform birthplaces of Odia icons into memorials, featuring museums, interpretation centres, statues and libraries, thereby promoting cultural tourism and preserving heritage.
Modi also felicitated some women achievers from across the state, who included some 'Lakhpati Didis'.
'Lakhpati Didi' is an initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development focused on empowering women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The goal is to help them achieve an annual household income exceeding Rs one lakh by adopting sustainable livelihood practices.
The state tops the list of creating 16.60 lakh 'Lakhpati Didis' in the country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chakra & consumption
PM's 2 key promises from Red Fort Two themes stood out in Modi's I-Day address. Mission Sudarshan Chakra, he said, will be a powerful platform that will protect both public places and critical infra, and be operational by 2035. This is evoking comparisons with Israel's Iron Dome. More relevant is the stellar performance of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and Akashteer during Op Sindoor. But air defence is an evolving tech. India faces two issues. First, versatile and rapidly improving battlefield drones. IACCS and Akashteer need upgrades for this. Second, we are still using diverse platforms – Indian, Russian, Israeli, etc. This is less than ideal. If Sudarshan Chakra can address both these concerns, it will be a massive boost for military self-reliance. On GST, Modi promised Indians will pay a whole lot less for a lot of stuff they buy. Pegging this to Diwali was classic Modi. From what he said and what officials briefed later, the biggest GST reform since its inception will make it basically a 2-rate system – 5% and 18% (a few 'sin' goods will be taxed at 40%). That will be a huge improvement on the current, complicated 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% structure. Consumers are likely to benefit from a large number of consumer goods moving from the 12% to 5% rate, some from 18% to 5%, and axing of the eye-watering 28% rate. Health insurance premiums may finally get taxed at a lower rate. That there'll be procedural rationalisation, too, makes this mithai sweeter. And that GOI seems ready to take a revenue hit initially and bet on higher consumption to make this up down the line, is welcome reformist spirit. BJP will hope lower prices will be a vote attractor in poll-bound Bihar, a densely populated poor state. But that takes nothing away from the significance of what Modi promised. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chakra & shopping power
This Independence Day, PM Modi gave two big promises that could make India both safer and cheaper to live in. First, he talked about Mission Sudarshan Chakra — a home-made defence system that will protect important places and buildings from enemy attacks. Think of it like a giant invisible shield. It's being compared to Israel's 'Iron Dome,' which shoots down enemy missiles. India already has strong systems like IACCS and Akashteer, which worked well in a recent military operation. But there are problems: enemy drones are getting smarter, and our defence system is made up of parts from different countries (India, Russia, Israel), which don't always work perfectly together. Sudarshan Chakra will try to fix this by making one fully Indian system that can handle threats from the air, land, and maybe even sea. The goal is to have it ready by 2035. Second, Modi promised a big change in GST — the tax we pay when we buy most things. Right now, GST is messy, with four main rates: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. The plan is to make it simpler: mostly just 5% and 18% (plus 40% for things like cigarettes). This means many items will get cheaper, like goods moving from 12% to 5% or 18% to 5%. Even health insurance might get taxed less. The government will earn less money at first but hopes people will buy more, which will make up for it later. And yes, this could help win votes in elections — but it's still good news for shoppers. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rivals unite in protest against DU's ₹1-lakh bond for DUSU polls
New Delhi: Delhi University's decision to ask the candidates contesting the DU Students' Union (DUSU) elections to deposit a Rs 1-lakh refundable bond has prompted a rare unanimity among student groups, with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to National Students' Union of India (NSUI) joining Left outfits in demanding its withdrawal. The provision, part of the "anti-defacement" guidelines issued on Aug 8, allows the university to forfeit the bond for code of conduct violations or property damage. DU says the move aims to curb vandalism during the polls, but the student groups call it undemocratic and exclusionary. ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma said the bond was "a malicious attempt to limit the elections to only affluent students", warning of a "massive movement" if it was not revoked. NSUI president Varun Choudhary termed it "a political weapon" to tilt the field in ABVP's favour, alleging the university was "weaponising rules to exclude ordinary students" in violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, which cap candidate spending at Rs 5,000. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi Left groups have raised similar concerns. Students' Federation of India (SFI) said the amount would "shut the door on smaller, resource-poor organisations" and deepen the influence of money in campus politics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "By demanding a Rs 1 lakh bond from DUSU election candidates, the university is putting a price tag on democracy. While we appreciate the intent to curb defacement, this move disproportionately targets common and marginalised students, creating financial barriers to democratic participation. Student elections must be inclusive, not exclusionary," said SFI Delhi president Sooraj Elamon. All India Students' Association called the rule "anti-democratic" and "a brazen attempt to turn student politics into the preserve of the wealthy", vowing to protest until it was withdrawn. While major outfits like ABVP and NSUI regularly field high-profile candidates and mount expensive campaigns, they, too, have objected to the bond as an arbitrary hurdle that could discourage participation from economically weaker students and create legal challenges. With the DUSU elections scheduled for Sept 18, the standoff sets the stage for an unusual convergence of campus rivals against the administration, underscoring wider anxieties over the accessibility and fairness of student politics in DU. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
