Odisha Governor’s 5-yr term ends, likely to continue in office

--I wish Odisha to go ahead: Guv

BHUBANESWAR: “The people of the State in spite of poverty are the happiest that I have seen all over India. Such peaceful and happy population you won’t find anywhere,” said Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare answering a question on his best moments during his tenure in Odisha. On the last day of his five-year term as Governor of the State on Monday, he expressed his happiness in serving the State which is culturally rich.  

Attending a felicitation ceremony of the State-level Rajiv Gandhi Chhatra Prativa Puraskar-2012 on the occasion of 68th anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi organised by Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle (Odisha) here, he said, “As a citizen of the great nation, we have to live in harmony and brotherhood. Let us not allow any hatred or violence to permeate in our society, which was Rajivji’s dream, should be fulfilled.”

“Wherever I’m, I’ll wish Odisha everyday to go ahead,” Bhandare said adding that Odisha would rise quite high and its future is bright. The literacy rate of the State is increasing year by year and the State is marching towards full literacy as the recent literacy rate is all about to touch 80 per cent mark. Education is future, therefore the youths of the country should be given quality education as they are the strength, dream and future of the State as well as of the country, Bhandare said.

Among others, leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh, Rajyasabha MP Ram Chandra Khuntia, former BPUT Vice-Chancellor Omkarnath Mohanty, former Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Binayak Rath and State president of Rajiv Gandhi Students’ Forum also spoke in the function. The toppers of Matriculation, CHSE board examination, OJEE, Utkal University graduation-level toppers and winners of Rajiv Gandhi Chhatra Prativa Puraskar were felicitated in the ceremony.