To lead a state, you need hard work and intent, not necessarily experience

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From the head of a Panchayat to four-time MLA to, finally, Odisha's first BJP chief minister, Mohan Charan Majhi's journey has been an interesting one. Majhi, who completes a year in office on June 12, spoke about the perceived lack of experience of his government, its achievements over the past 12 months, and his vision for "Samruddha Odisha," a vision document for a prosperous and empowered Odisha by Odisha's centenary year 2036.

Edited excerpts from an interview to Debabrata Mohanty:

From a sarpanch to Odisha's first BJP chief minister, you have come a long way. What has been your government's most significant achievement in the last 12 months?

There is a long list of achievements. It is very difficult to pick any one because each of the programmes is aimed at some section of society. How do you expect me to choose which one is better, Subhadra Yojana (a credit scheme aimed at poor women) or providing enhanced procurement price for paddy or for that matter Godavarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya (an effort to transform primary education) or the implementation of Ayushman Bharat (the Union government's health insurance scheme)? Each programme is important.

You replaced Naveen Patnaik, who governed for 24 years. Is your government facing challenges of inexperience and administrative unfamiliarity?

Experience is a welcome qualification, but not an essential one. There are so many chief ministers who never held a ministerial position (before becoming CM). For us, our inspiration is our Prime Minister who became the chief minister in Gujarat when he was not even an MLA but went to give a wonderful administration to the state with the famed Gujarat Model. For leading the state, you need hard work and intent, not necessarily experience. I have got plenty of both.

You have just raised the upper age limit for government jobs from 32 to 42 years. Don't you think this is to the disadvantage of the younger population?