People of Odisha should contribute towards state's prosperity:

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan today urged the people of Odisha to contribute towards making the state prosperous.

The minister was speaking at a programme "Nua Odisha Nirmana Abhijan" organised at Chandrabhaga sea beach in Konark in Puri district on the occasion of 'Utkala Dibasa'.

"Not only the government, but society should come forward for making a new and prosperous Odisha. A massive public awareness needs to be created to fight evils plaguing the society," Pradhan said.

Describing cleanliness as a social responsibility, Pradhan said the health condition of children in 20 districts of Odisha is alarming due to malnutrition and public awareness should be created to tackle such evils.

"Similarly, someone has also to take the charge of guiding the 42 lakh youths of the state," added Pradhan.

Apart from feeling proud for the glorious history of Odisha, the future generation should come forward to make our state a prosperous state of the country, he said.

Stating that Odisha ranks 35th in terms of world population, he questioned as to why will the milestone for Odishas development lag behind?