Bhubaneswar: Odisha came to a standstill for one minute at 6 pm today as the people of the State observed one-minute silent prayer in honour of the corona warriors. Responding to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s call, the people in all parts of the State joined the silent prayer. Patnaik also participated in the prayer through video conferencing.

The Chief Minister then gave oath to the people to cooperate and honour the corona warriors.
Prior to the prayer a two-minute video on the sacrifice of corona warriors was also telecast.

At around 6.04 pm, the Chief Minister administered the eight-point oath to the people through TV and social media.

Governor Ganeshi Lal also joined the prayer, followed by an oath-taking programme conducted by Patnaik, to honour and commemorate the supreme sacrifice of COVID warriors, a Raj Bhavan official informed.

Ministers, officers, journalists, students and people from all sections of society participated in the prayer.

As many as 25 frontline workers, including health workers, police personnel, panchayati raj institution functionaries, anganwadi and ASHA workers and teachers have died in COVID Hospitals, COVID Care Centres and COVID Care Homes.

The prayer was organised on the day in which the recovery of COVID-19 patients reached the 25,000-mark in the state.

DGP Abhay said, "Six of our personnel have died while on COVID duty. I appeal to all of you to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines to defeat an invisible enemy like novel coronavirus."

DG, Fire Service, Satyajit Mohanty said, fire personnel will fight against the infection and encourage frontline workers.

The sports department organised an event at Kalinga Stadium where many people participated in the prayer maintaining social distancing.

(With agency inputs)