Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Odisha Assembly passed a resolution to incorporate the word ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) in the Preamble of the Constitution of India as respect on the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s first visit to Odisha on March 23, 1921.
The assembly discussed the various aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Odisha during the first hour of the day and he visited Odisha around eight times. On the occasion, the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated that Odisha will always have a special place for Mahatma Gandhi who is termed as the father of the nation.
CM Patnaik said “Of all the things that this country has given to the world, Gandhi’s philosophy and his message stands out as one of its greatest contributions. Gandhi’s emphasis on the shunning of individual greed and his exhortation to think of the community is the reminder that the world needs.”
CM further added that Gandhi’s commitment to pluralism and his message of tolerance and harmony is as appropriate now as it was then. The Mahatma’s non-violent resistance is a spark that ignited a peaceful movement around the world.
He also assured that the Odisha Government was and is committed to the principles and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and renaming the state secretariat as “Loka Seba Bhawan” was not a symbol.
While debating leader of opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik stated that the tributes to the Mahatma can only be reflected in many ways which have lived up to teach his principles in our lives. Gandhi’s philosophy also needed to be considered in the government’s policies. He also raised the question of the issue of excess liquor sales and illegal cattle trafficking from the state.
image Source – Google
