Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said focusing too much on negative issues could divert attention from path of development, while launching a website of India Against Negativity (IAN) here.
"We are trying to fast-track our socio-economic development by bringing visible changes in the lives of people. But there are also vexing issues coming in the way, and we are consciously endeavouring to find solutions to these issues. However, constant and mindless focus on these issues can upset our development initiatives", he said at the launching ceremony of IAN website.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ruled government is often criticised for its failure to realise the full potential of the state in the field of industrial development despite its tall promises and long list of MoUs with promoters from within the country and outside. Several projects running into multi thousand crore rupees have not been able to take off in 14 years of its rule due to issues pertaining to land acquisition protests, raw material linkage and delay in statutory approvals such as forest diversion and environment clearance.
Stiff opposition to mining projects by tribals to protect the mountains and forests have embarrassed the state government in national as well as international business community. The state government has, however, maintained that these protests are often orchestrated by vested interest groups who do not want the progress of Odisha in the name of protection of nature.
"Negative aspects of our life sometimes try to halt our forward movement. Negativism and negative mind-set try to spoil our confidence, spontaneity, and end up in making our vision hazy. Negativism is like a drop of poison in the nectar of positivism", Patnaik added during his speech.
IAN is a national forum initiated by Achyut Samant, founder of KIIT University. The foundation has been created to educate Indians about ill effect of negativity.
"Development can be achieved by avoiding conflicts. It is a welcome step that India against Negativity (IAN) has taken a vow to take up any cause for public good, dispelling the dark clouds created by negativity," he said. The foundation has already established 30 offices in all the districts of Odisha and six offices in the country to promote positivity among the youth and like-minded people. Justice A K Patnaik, former Supreme Court judge and Divya Singh Dev, Maharaja of Puri also attended the launching ceremony today.
