Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday pitched for more investment in sports, saying it is akin to investment on the youth and the future.
Patnaik made the comment while replying to a question put forward by Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman Mukesh Ambani at the plenary session of the 'Make in Odisha' conclave here.
"Can you share with us, how we in the industry can contribute to your sports and education vision? So that, we can link to the youth in the state," asked Ambani.
In response, the chief minister said as far as sports is concerned, it is for the youth and youth is for the future. "Investment in sport is an investment in youth, and investment in youth is an investment for future".
"We have been developing sports facilities. I would like to thank Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group chairman) for a state-of-the-art shooting institute," he added.
Patnaik also said mineral assets should be developed, which could bring jobs to people in the state.
Replying to another question by Vedanta Resources Plc Chairman Anil Agarwal on tourism, Patnaik said: "Indeed, we do have a lot of potential. We have historic temples, a huge coastline of almost 500 km. We have great Chilika Lake, wonderful beaches, wildlife parks. We are working very hard in the tourism sector."
On a query on skill development put forth by JSW Chairman Sajjan Jindal, the CM said Odisha has a pact with Singapore, where about 100 teachers had recently gone.
"In fact, we are working so hard on it that we want people to say, Are you skilled in Odisha?" he said.
As far as healthcare is concerned, Patnaik said the state has put in place a new health policy. "While the Union Government's health policy is just for people below the poverty line, our health coverage is for everyone," Patnaik said, answering to a question by Apollo Hospitals Joint MD Sangeetha Reddy.
The chief minister also made a case for Odisha's emphasis on environment and said it is one of the few states where "tree cover has grown more than the national average".
The five-day conclave would conclude on November 15.
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