Cuttack, June 13 -- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said his government is committed to empowering women and making them the strongest pillar of the state's development.

Addressing the State-level Nari Shakti Samabesh at the historic Bali Yatra ground here, held to mark the completion of one year of his government, Majhi said the sole objective of the gathering is to recognize and enhance the power of women as the driving force behind Odisha's progress.

"This Nari Shakti Samabesh is the first programme of our second year in office. We firmly believe that unless half of the population-our women-are empowered, the state can never truly develop," he remarked.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that launching this initiativ...