By Nageshwar Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, November 27, 2025: President Droupadi Murmu felt nostalgic while addressing the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon.

She said that after many years, old memories of this place had re-surfaced. As a legislator, she had asked questions and as a minister, she had answered legislators’ questions in this house. Murmu, a former member of the Odisha Assembly, turned emotional while addressing the members as the President of India. She said that after many years, old memories resurfaced.

“I feel nostalgic. It is like homecoming for me. This Odisha Assembly has taught me everything. Whatever I am today, it is because of this House, the blessings of the people and Lord Jagannath,” Murmu said.

Noting that she had addressed a number of assemblies in India and abroad, the President said, “Speaking here is different which reminds me of the past. The foundation of my career lies here only. I came from a village background and occupied a place in this House. This place has taught me how to speak, what to speak and how to behave with people in different situations.”

The President, who was elected to the Odisha Assembly for the first time in 2000 from Rairangpur constituency, recalled some former members. “Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the present Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and some others were also elected to this House in 2000 along with me.”

Noting that “nation is first”, she urged the newly elected MLAs to maintain a balance between the ‘Kathni’ (words) and ‘Karni’ (deeds). “In this age of technology, the people are watching and following you. You should behave in a proper manner both inside and outside this House. Work for the poorest of the poor and this is ‘Antorday’ (rise of the last person),” she said.

The President also mentioned that the people are everything in democracy which can prosper only if the masses are happy. “Meet the aspirations and hopes of the people on you (MLAs),” she said.

Murmu also highlighted India’s achievements in various fields like economy, space science, technology, artificial intelligence and many others. “Many countries in the world have trust in India’s capability and that is exactly the indication of a Viksit Bharat,” she said.

Noting that Odisha played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle and nation-building, the President said that the state had witnessed the transformation of ‘Chandashoka’ (Ashoka the cruel king) into ‘Dharmashok’ (Pious Ashoka). Tribal communities of Odisha have set an example for the country by fighting against foreign rule.

She mentioned that the state has the tradition of women’s empowerment and it is a matter of pride that Odisha Legislative Assembly has a long history of women’s representation.

Before and after independence, there has been no Legislative Assembly in Odisha without women’s representation, Murmu said adding that women from the state have made the country proud by achieving success in various fields.

In her speech, Murmu paid tribute to eminent personalities like Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Utkalmani Gopabandhu Dash, Baxi Jagabanndhu, Saheed Lxman Naik, Vir Surendra Sai, Malati Devi, Sarala Devi, Nandini Satpathy, Dr Harekrishna Mahtab, Biju Patnaik and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

She said that Odisha Assembly has passed numerous public welfare laws.

Expressing pleasure over the state’s rapid progress, the President said that the state is blessed with all kinds of bounty like mineral deposits, forests, and water resources, as well as human resources.

Odisha’s environment is highly conducive to the development of agriculture, industry, and commerce, and by leveraging all these advantages, it can be transformed into a leading state in the country, Murmu said.

The President said that the centenary of Odisha’s formation will be celebrated in 2036. If all stakeholders can work together to build a prosperous Odisha by that year, it will be the state greatest contribution to making India a developed nation by 2047.

She hailed the state government for women’s financial assistance scheme ‘Subhadra Yojana’, subsidy to paddy farmers, and several other initiatives.

“The Centre has taken many steps for the development of railways, national highways, and ports in Odisha. I am happy that the industrial sector in Odisha is taking a new shape with the joint efforts of the Centre and the State,” she said.

Earlier, the assembly accorded a warm welcome to Murmu, the ‘daughter of the soil’. Speaker Surama Padhy extended formal congratulations to the President while Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, described the day as a great pride for all members of the House.

Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati said, “Your (President) journey continues to inspire millions of people and your presence here is historic”.

During the visit, Murmu mingled with MLAs, ex-MLAs and also visited room number-11, the chamber she used as a minister between 2000 and 2004