Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan engaged in a mass plantation drive in Sambalpur, Odisha, under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. He emphasized the initiative’s significance in promoting environmental sustainability, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and advancing India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The event saw participation from various schools, colleges, organizations, and administrative offices, transforming it into a widespread movement. Earlier, Pradhan, along with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, also participated in the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri, offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and expressing satisfaction with the arrangements. They also visited the state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Puri, which played a crucial role in ensuring safety and efficiency during the Rath Yatra.
