President Murmu on Two Day Visit to Odisha, Focuses on Education and Culture

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu will begin a two day visit to Odisha on Monday, 14 July, during which she will attend a series of official and cultural engagements in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. This marks another significant homecoming for the country’s first tribal woman President, whose visits to her home state have consistently focused on education, heritage, and community welfare.

The President’s itinerary includes participation in two major university convocations as well as a cultural event commemorating the life and work of one of Odisha’s most revered literary figures.

On the first day of her visit, President Murmu will grace the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar. She will address graduating students, faculty members, and dignitaries at the premier medical institution, which has played a pivotal role in public health and medical research in the eastern region of India. The President is expected to underscore the critical role of young doctors and healthcare professionals in building a robust healthcare system in the country.

On Monday, 15 July, she will travel to Cuttack to preside over the 12th Convocation of Ravenshaw University, one of Odisha’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. During the ceremony, the President will confer degrees upon the graduating class and is expected to emphasise the role of higher education in driving societal progress and inclusive growth.

In addition to her academic engagements, President Murmu will lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Ravenshaw Girls’ High School, a move aimed at strengthening the educational infrastructure for young women in the state.

Later the same day, the President will attend a special programme to mark the 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das, widely regarded as the father of Odia literature. Known for his seminal works such as the Odia Mahabharata, Sarala Das is remembered for making classical knowledge accessible to the common people through the vernacular. During the ceremony, President Murmu will also present the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024, which honours outstanding contributions to literature, culture, or public service.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in coordination with local police and the Special Protection Group. Traffic diversions, protocol clearances, and logistical planning are already underway to ensure smooth conduct of all events. The President will be staying at the Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar during the visit and is scheduled to return to New Delhi on the evening of 15 July.

President Murmu’s visit is being seen as a reaffirmation of the Centre’s focus on education, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation, themes that have been consistent in her public engagements.