Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said that the safe and smooth conduct of the annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath is not merely the responsibility of the government but a collective responsibility of all concerned.
CM Majhi made the remarks during a high-level special review meeting for the upcoming Ratha Yatra, held in the coastal town of Puri on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. During the meeting, Majhi stressed the importance of maintaining effective coordination among officials and staff to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
Addressing the meeting at Puri Town Hall, the Chief Minister said, "With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, and by bringing together our wisdom, knowledge, skills and experience with a spirit of dedication, the officials and employees of all the concerned departments, as well as the servitors, should manage the Ratha Yatra.
This collective effort will ensure that the Ratha Yatra is conducted in a flawless manner." The Chief Minister noted that Lord Jagannath resides in the hearts of all devotees. He further stated that Ratha Yatra is not only the most sacred occasion for the people of Puri but also for devotees across Odisha, India, and the world.
“The whole world’s eyes are on this festival. Ensuring a safe Ratha Yatra is not merely a duty of the government, but it is a moral responsibility we all share,” he added. The Chief Minister expressed hope that every official would discharge his or her duties with sincerity, considering the responsibility as a sacred service carried out under the command of Lord Jagannath.
He also underscored that extensive police deployment has been made for security and crowd management during the Ratha Yatra festival. Adequate arrangements have also been put in place for healthcare, sanitation, drinking water, transportation, and traffic regulation.
He advised officials to make the best use of the experience gained over the past two years to ensure seamless coordination. The Chief Minister stressed the need for proper monitoring of all arrangements and instructed the district administration not to issue any additional cordon passes beyond the prescribed limit.
He also appreciated the servitors of Lord Jagannath for performing all the prescribed rituals punctually and in accordance with tradition. The Chief Minister advised officials to use various media platforms, public announcement systems, and social media to spread awareness among devotees.
He said that timely dissemination of information on temple rituals, other services, traffic conditions, and emergency updates through FM radio, social media, departmental websites, and television would help avoid many problems. CM Majhi also directed authorities to keep a strict watch on rumour-mongers and take firm action against anyone found spreading misinformation.
"If every devotee returns after having the darshan of Lord Jagannath with a pleasant spiritual experience, that will be our collective success and our collective blessing,” said CM Majhi.