BOUDH, ODISHA, September 17: Boudh district witnessed a large-scale observance of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, with mass lamp-lighting programmes organised at temples, religious sites and villages across the district.

Thousands of residents, women’s groups, voluntary organisations and members of the public participated in the celebrations. Lamps were lit as participants offered prayers for the Prime Minister’s long life, good health and well-being.

A special lamp-lighting ceremony was organised at the Chandrachud Temple in Boudh town. Boudh MLA and Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan attended the programme as the chief guest. BJP district president Premananda Mishra, social worker and journalists’ association president Debashish Purohit, senior party leaders, office-bearers and a large number of workers were also present.

Another mass programme took place at the Mahanadi Aarti Ghat, where hundreds of women and local residents gathered to light lamps collectively and offer prayers.

The historic Rameshwar Shiva Temple, considered among the prominent old temples of Boudh, also hosted a lamp-lighting ceremony. District Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak attended the event as chief guest and joined the participants in the programme.

Several district officials and public representatives were present, including Kandhamal MP’s representative Jugal Kishore Samal, Additional District Magistrate Aniruddha Pradhan, Chief Development Officer Prabhas Chandra Dandasena, Sub-Collector Binay Kumar Bhoi, Boudh BDO Jugal Kishore Biswal, District Culture Officer Ankita Sahu, DSWO Sagarika Dutta, District Information and Public Relations Officer Bidyapati Panda and DPC Mission Shakti Rashmi Ranjan Sethi.

Women associated with Self-Help Groups and beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana participated in large numbers at the Rameshwar Shiva Temple. They joined the collective lamp-lighting ceremony and offered prayers for the Prime Minister’s health, longevity and prosperity.

Similar events were organised at the Bhairabi Temple in Harabhanga Block and the Ganesh Temple near the Kantamal Block office. Lamp-lighting programmes were also conducted at different block and village levels.

The campaign brought together women’s organisations, Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries, voluntary groups and members of the wider community. Participants also took a collective pledge highlighting their commitment to public service, social welfare and community development.

The organisers described the lamps as a symbolic representation of the movement from darkness towards light, while the campaign emphasised the values of service, resolve and dedication.

The district-wide observance created a festive and enthusiastic atmosphere in Boudh, with people participating in various programmes held across urban and rural areas.

Report: Sudam Charan Sahu [State Bureau Chief, Odisha]
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