Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, lauded Odisha’s Maithili Bhue for her dedicated forest conservation efforts in the Debrigarh region of Bargada district.
PM Modi noted that there were many people in society who transform the lives of countless others through small but dedicated efforts.
“There is a village named Dhodrokusum in the Debrigarh region of Odisha. Until a few years ago, Maithili Bhue ji from this village would visit the forest almost daily – sometimes to gather firewood, at other times to collect Mahua flowers and Kendu leaves, or to harvest bamboo shoots and other forest produce,” said PM Modi.
He added that the forest met many of her family’s needs and also those of numerous others in the area.
“However, Maithili ji then became associated with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism. This marked a shift in her relationship with the forest, taking it towards a new direction,” PM Modi stated.
The Prime Minister pointed out that after her association with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism, forest conservation became a means of livelihood for Maithili.
Highlighting how her work inspired other local women, the Prime Minister said, “Friends, this transformation in Maithili ji’s life inspired other women as well. Today, more than 60 women are actively involved in forest conservation. Some have taken up the responsibility of protecting wildlife, others are engaged in developing grasslands, and some are contributing to eco-tourism activities.”
PM Modi said that Maithili and the “sisters from Debrigarh had demonstrated that nature could be protected alongside achieving prosperity in life”.
“The efforts of all these sisters serve as a great inspiration for all of us,” said PM Modi.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked the Prime Minister for bringing the commendable efforts of Maithili Bhue and other local women to the nation’s attention.
“The extraordinary efforts of Maithili Bhue from Debrigarh, Bargarh district, are today a moment of immense pride for the entire state of Odisha. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for honouring this dedication and resolve of our Nari Shakti (women power) at the national level in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme,” CM Majhi said.
“Maithili Bhue herself got involved with eco-tourism while engaging more than 60 women of the region in forest and wildlife conservation, enabling them to become self-reliant. This model of earning a livelihood alongside nature conservation reflects the strong resolve of our Odisha’s Nari Shakti (women power), ” he added.
He extended heartfelt congratulations to Maithili Bhue and all her women associates for this inspiring contribution towards Odia Asmita, environmental conservation, and women empowerment.
