Odisha Plants Over 32 Lakh Saplings to Mark PM Modi’s Birthday
State targets 75 lakh trees in a single day under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign
Bhubaneswar: In a massive green drive marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, Odisha reported that over 32.85 lakh saplings had already been planted across the state by noon on Wednesday. The state has set a target of planting 75 lakh saplings by sunset under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.
The plantation programme, conducted as part of the campaign’s second phase, is integrated with the Central Government’s ‘MeriLiFE’ portal. Participants from across Odisha are uploading photos and videos of their tree plantation activities, which are being tracked in real time. A forest department official said, “The progress of the plantation drive is being seamlessly monitored. We urge everyone to upload images of their efforts.”
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi planted saplings at the Ekamra College campus in Bhubaneswar, while Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined the drive at the Sainik School campus in Sambalpur. Pradhan informed that Sambalpur district alone will plant more than 4.5 lakh saplings during the ongoing ‘Seva Paksha’ observance. BJP Vice-President and MP Baijayant Panda also participated in the campaign at Pentha village in Kendrapara district.
In addition to the plantation event, CM Majhi joined a cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign at Bhubaneswar’s Master Canteen area. He was joined by senior BJP leaders including state BJP President Manmohan Samal and party in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, who wielded brooms alongside workers.
Calling September 17 a moment of “national pride,” Majhi recalled Prime Minister Modi’s previous visit to Odisha. “Last year on this day, the Prime Minister celebrated his birthday in Odisha by eating ‘kheer’ prepared by a tribal woman in Gadakana. He also launched the ‘Subhadra Yojana’ that day,” he said. Majhi stressed that initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ reflect the government’s broader vision for a clean environment, women’s health, and family welfare.
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