Subhechcha Ganguly 
“When I boarded the flight, I felt it was not the plane but Odisha taking off. It is the flight of Odisha”, an impassioned V K Pandian, Odisha’s 5T secretary told a packed Odia diaspora at a capacious convention hall in Dubai.The ingenious mandarin took off his impromptu address with the invocation of ‘Jai Jagannath’ that resonated deep with the audience both within the venue and the crowd that clustered outside to experience the ‘Odisha Divas’ vibes.
In the realm of Odisha’s aviation history, an extraordinary moment unfolded on May 16, 2023. The inaugural direct flight between Bhubaneswar and Dubai, brought to life by Air India Express, united the capital city of the eastern state with the bustling hub of the Middle East. This pivotal connection propelled Odisha into a realm of enhanced global accessibility, birthing unparalleled opportunities for trade, business, tourism, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
To commemorate this momentous occasion, the state government orchestrated a captivating cultural extravaganza, known as Odisha Dibas, on May 17, 2023, in the vibrant city of Dubai. Over a thousand individuals, including the vibrant Odia diaspora from the UAE and the Middle East, alongside esteemed dignitaries from the Indian consulate and local authorities, graced the event with their presence. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, through a virtual address, expressed his congratulations to the state government and Air India Express, exalting this achievement while shedding light on his administration’s myriad initiatives aimed at transforming Odisha into an empowered and prosperous state.
Among the distinguished speakers at the gathering, Mr. V K Pandian, the 5T Secretary of Odisha, radiated profound insights. As the Chief Minister’s private secretary and the Secretary to CM-Transformational Initiatives (5T), Mr. Pandian’s vision aligns with a charter built upon the pillars of Teamwork, Technology, Transparency, Transformation, and Time Limit. These quintessential principles underpin the evaluation of government officials and projects, fueling the state’s metamorphosis. In his compelling discourse, Mr. Pandian unveiled the grand tapestry of Odisha’s transformational agenda, showcasing the state’s remarkable leveraging of its natural resources, strategic location, and robust infrastructure to forge an environment conducive to dynamic growth. Pandian said he was blessed to work with a Chief Minister like Mr Naveen Patnaik.
Pandian took a trip down the memory alley and shared a captivating story connected with the humble Chief Minister of Odisha. Folks in Odisha know that their Chief Minister originally used the spartan Maruti Esteem car to commute. Pandian narrated the story of the tallest Indian Chief Minister content to ride the smallest car among all his counterparts. A time arrived when Maruti winded up production of this dated Sedan. Pandian sounded it to the ears of his boss, yet he insisted on using the car. Later, an incident occurred when the car developed glitches and paused in the way. Pandian revisited the demand to change the car. This time around, the CM consented and asked his Man Friday to get the model which was available in lieu of Maruti Esteem. That’s how the switch to SX4 happened. When Pandian broached the idea of going for some plush car models, Naveen flatly denied. The CM said the money belonged to the people of Odisha should be ploughed back for their welfare and not used for his personal comfort. This anecdote, Pandian believes, is a case study for other politicians and a glaring lesson in humility.
With eloquence and precision, Mr. Pandian deftly addressed a diverse array of questions from the eager audience. From the state’s resilient response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to its commendable achievements in disaster management, cultural preservation, women empowerment, youth development, education, health, innovation, industrial policies, environmental conservation, and future aspirations—each query received a masterful response. Infused with captivating anecdotes and personal experiences, Mr. Pandian’s words resonated deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. Grateful for the Odia diaspora’s contribution to the state’s advancement, Mr. Pandian extended a heartfelt call for continued support and collaboration, inviting all to witness firsthand the rich tapestry of opportunities that Odisha has to offer.
Pandian defended his government’s stance to splurge on freebies. Free doles are necessary in a socialist state. “Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), we have the mandate to provide free rice to the poor. Social sector schemes are meant to uplift Odisha as a lopsided development model is not sustainable”, reasoned he. He went on to say that when the food security legislation was implemented, the state had provisioned Rs 700 crore in the Budget. Beyond food, Odisha accorded top emphasis on healthcare. Under the auspices of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), free medical treatment is provide to around 90 lakh families and the state government is spending Rs 220 crore each month.
The Odisha government has been generous in announcing various freebies and subsidies for different sections of the society, especially ahead of the panchayat elections. Some of the schemes launched by the government include free smartphones for women self-help groups, free bicycles for school students, free laptops for meritorious students, free uniforms and textbooks for school children, free sanitary napkins for adolescent girls, free LED bulbs for rural households, free food grains for poor families, free health insurance for farmers, free electricity for farmers up to 5 HP pump sets, free irrigation facilities for farmers, free housing for rural and urban poor, free land pattas for slum dwellers, free education for SC/ST students up to post-graduation level, free bus passes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and free legal aid for women victims of violence. The total cost of these freebies and subsidies is estimated to be more than Rs 1 lakh crore per year
As the event reached its crescendo, Mr. Aman Puri, the Consul General of India in Dubai, delivered a vote of thanks, effusively praising the state government for orchestrating a truly remarkable program. He expressed profound gratitude to the passionate participants for their unwavering enthusiasm, foreseeing the direct flight service between Bhubaneswar and Dubai as a catalyst for fortifying the ties between Odisha and the UAE. Together, they would forge new avenues for collaboration, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and opportunities.
The event reverberated with resounding success, receiving accolades from all quarters. It served as a magnificent showcase of Odisha’s progress, unveiling its vast potential to a captivated global audience while joyously celebrating its rich cultural heritage. For the Odias residing in the UAE and beyond, this moment stood as a testament to their shared pride and identity—a moment that will forever be cherished
