interview2019 
Source: Google
Raghunandan Das, Minister, I&PR
He(Humbled but workaholic Minister) emerged as the giant slayer when he trounced heavyweight Damodar Rout from Ersama Balikuda in the 2019 assembly polls in Odisha. Rout, the enfant terrible had quitted the BJD and jumped fences to rival BJP in the run-up to the polls.
To counter the redoubtable Rout who was contesting on a BJP ticket, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik fielded Raghunandan Das( Humbled but workaholic Minister) from the crucial constituency. The outcome swung in the ruling party’s favor. Das triumphed while old warhorse Rout had to bite the dust as he languished in the fourth spot.
In recognition of his colossal win, the BJD chieftain rewarded Das with information & public relations and water resources portfolios in the rank of a Cabinet minister.
Das’s father Bipin Bihari had represented the seat in 1961. After 58 years, his son created history by getting a ministerial berth in the Naveen’s new government.
In 2014, Das(Humbled but workaholic Minister) had unsuccessfully contested from the seat as an independent candidate. Rout had won the seat five times in 1977, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2004 before bifurcation of the assembly constituency in 2009.
“I thank Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the people of my constituency for reposing faith on me to serve Balikuda and Erasama. I will make all efforts for all-round development of the constituency and the State,” said Das in his reaction to the poll outcome.
Realizing the importance of the historic Jayadev library, the minister recently visited it ordered to move it to the spacious upper floor of Geet Govind Sadan. It was immediately carried out on 14th October 2019. Now, the new place has a capacity for more than 200 students.
In an attempt to bring more transparency in the release of government advertisements to newspapers, the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) department is going to adopt a unique code system.
This was informed by the department I&PR secretary Sanjay Singh during a meeting held on the occasion of New Year under the chairmanship of I&PR Minister Raghunandan Das(Humbled but workaholic Minister).
Welcoming the New Year 2020, the minister advised the officials to dedicate their service to the welfare of the people. The department has set its agenda for the year 2020 and chalked out strategies for delivering its services on the fast-track mode.
It was decided at the meeting to provide training to the officials on Media Communication Strategy to keep them updated with emerging technologies. The department will collaborate with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) for this program.
