Jharigaon,July 4 {UDN}: A conference of intellectuals and the Vikas Dhara (Development Stream) initiative was organized at Hotel SS in Umarkote to discuss the achievements of the Odisha Government during its two years in office and various ongoing development initiatives.
The interactive consultation and public discussion forum was chaired by Ramesh Chandra Sahu, State Vice President of the BJP. The event served as a platform where public representatives, government leaders, and local intellectuals engaged in meaningful discussions on public issues, developmental priorities, and governance.
The chief guests included Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Odisha’s Cabinet Minister for Commerce & Transport and Steel & Mines, Narsingh Bhatra, MLA from Jharigaon, and Gouri Shankar Majhi, MLA from Nabarangpur and Chairman of the State Planning Board.
The dignitaries highlighted the Odisha Government’s various welfare-oriented schemes and development initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens. They also invited suggestions and constructive feedback from local intellectuals regarding governance, policy implementation, and future development priorities.
More than 200 intellectuals from the Jharigaon Assembly constituency participated in the conference and expressed their opinions on how government policies have been implemented and what further improvements are needed.
Participants particularly emphasized the need for accelerated development in the predominantly tribal regions of Jharigaon and Chandahandi, raising concerns related to:
Tribal welfare and inclusive development
Quality education
Healthcare facilities
Road and transport connectivity
Electricity infrastructure
Basic public services
The intellectuals urged the Minister and MLAs to give special attention to these long-standing issues.
Former educationist and noted literary figure Kailash Chandra Behera proposed that the historical significance of the Podagada Peeth be included in Odisha’s school textbooks so that future generations become aware of the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Another participant, Premananda Pandey from Chandahandi, highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated youth. He pointed out that the absence of adequate district-level recruitment opportunities has left many qualified young people without jobs and requested the government to take immediate measures to create employment.
Responding to the various concerns, Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena assured the gathering that the government values the suggestions of intellectuals and would seriously consider the issues raised during the discussion.
Intellectual Purushottam Pari from Junagarh also presented a proposal stressing the need for a railway line connecting Junagarh–Chandahandi–Umarkote–Jagdalpur, stating that such a railway corridor would significantly improve transportation, trade, and regional development.
The conference was attended by Cabinet Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Jharigaon MLA Narsingh Bhatra, BJP State Vice President Ramesh Chandra Sahu, senior intellectual Pattanayak Nayak, Simon Bijika, retired college professor Bishikesan Padhi of Chandahandi College, along with numerous intellectuals, academicians, social workers, community leaders, and development stakeholders from the region.
Overall, the Intellectuals and Vikas Dhara Conference provided an important platform for dialogue between the government and civil society, enabling participants to exchange ideas, discuss regional challenges, and suggest practical measures for the inclusive development of the tribal-dominated areas of western Odisha.
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