Odisha MP demands new regiment after Kalinga

New Delhi: In view of Odisha’s immense contribution to the country in defence, Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra today demanded to set up the Kalinga Regiment in the state.

Placing the state’s longtime demand before the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the BJD MP said, “There has been a long-standing demand for raising the Kalinga Regiment in the Indian Army from the state of Odisha. Earlier, late Biju Patnaik had demanded for it. In 2015, it was again placed before the Centre, which was not materialised so far.”

“There should be raising of the Kalinga Regiment considering the contribution of the state to the nation’s defence establishment at the same point of time because it is on the eastern seaboard of India for the protection of such eminent establishment just like the Abdul Kalam Island,” he said.

Batting for the establishment of the Kalinga Regiment in the state, he reminded the House about Odisha’s rich history on war that the country had witnessed in the past.

“Odisha is known as the land of gallantry and valour. And this goes back into the history we talk about the Kalinga War or we talk about the Paika Rebellion. Similarly in terms of defence and contribution to defence by the state, Odisha through its Integrated Test Range Centre of DRDO at the Abdul Kalam Island has been home to the major defence contribution in terms of missile technology. Whether that Akash, Agni, Astra, BrahMos, Nirbhay, Prithvi, Shaurya, Odisha has been contributing substantially to the defence of this nation. Apart from that, the INS Chilika, which is been the state of our training facility for the naval as well as the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have contributed immensely to this nation,” Patra said in the Rajya Sabha.

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