Odisha salutes Covid warriors

Bhubaneswar, May 30 (IANS) People from all walks of life in Odisha on Saturday recited 'Bande Utkala Janani' in a show of respect and honour to the COVID-19 warriors.

Besides, Odias residing across the globe sang the song expressing their solidarity with the Coronavirus warriors.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recited the song at Naveen Nivas (the residence of the Chief Minister), while Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with his family joined in the chorus at New Delhi. Union Minister Pratap Sarangi also recited the song at New Delhi.

Workers of different political parties led by their state presidents joined the moment at the party headquarters here.

Secretariat employees, sportspersons, film personalities, police personnel, and others recited Bande Utkala Janani at different places to show solidarity with the Covid-19 warriors.

Servitors, police officials and people from all walks of life came together to sing 'Bande Utkala Janani' in front of majestic Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Besides, all important railway stations in Odisha under the East Coast Railway jurisdiction participated in the mass singing.

The Chief Minister had on Thursday urged the people to recite the popular state song as a mark of respect to the Covid-19 warriors.

"Bande Utkala Janani" was the opening song of Utkal Sammilani during the fight for the formation of a separate province.