Editor’s Note Odisha has indeed taken a quantum leap under the dynamic leadership of our Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik. Today, our State stands for the spirit of sportsmanship where action speaks louder than words and the leadership is without fear. Where inclusive empowerment is the driving spirit and quest for excellence is the norm and where the nation comes above all. It was a moment of pride for me and multitude of Odia people when Government of Odisha announced support for Indian Hockey. Hockey in Odisha is more than a sport; it is way of life, especially in our tribal regions. The Association initiated by Government of Odisha would ensure that all Indians get behind the national sport. The newly designed logo on the Indian National Hockey Team Jersey is a summation of Odisha. At its heart is the Konark Wheel; a symbol of progress and empowerment, the land of the rising Sun, the famed coastline that has for centuries been a trade route and even today welcomes endangered Olive Ridley turtles, the Odissi dance form and of course Hockey-which unites the entire State. We would like to thank Hon’ble Chief Minister for this noble endeavour. This is a first where a State Government will not just be promoting a sport within its boundaries but will support and nurture the Indian Hockey team. This is Odisha’s gift to the nation. In commemoration of the Birth Centenary of legendary Biju Patnaik, the book “The Tall Man-Biju Patnaik” has been released by a galaxy of national leaders which include former President Dr. Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime Minister Shri H.D. Deve Gowda, former deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K.Advani, Communist leader Shri Sitaram Yechury in the presence of our Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik. The book goes beyond the scope of a biography and presents hither to unknown information and captures the highlights of Biju Patnaik’s life and his times. I must have attended innumerable book release ceremonies but never in my life have I come across such a gala book release function. While reminiscing his association with Biju Babu, Shri H.D. Deve Gowda demanded a “Bharat Ratna” for the towering figure. Shri L.K. Advani was awestruck at the huge gathering present for the release of a book. People from different walks of life, different political spectrum and ideas were attending the inaugural function of the book for the love and respect they have for Biju Babu who was larger than life. The concluding remarks of our Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik made everybody emotive in a wintery evening of January. The Union Budget 2018-19 is in many ways disappointing for our State. It has shown a vision for 2022 without matching action or financial commitment. Every budget has a macro and micro aspect to it. Since it is the largest single economic event in the country it impacts the economy as a whole. The Budget speaks of emphasis on agriculture and rural economy but there is no focus on creation of irrigation facilities. It has been announced that MSP will be raised to 1.5 times of the cost of production for crops but there is no clarity on how the MSP mechanism will be implemented by the Central Government for all crops. Implementation of MGNREGA programme is suffering due to inadequate release of wage component by Government of India. Similarly, there is no increase in the allocation for PMGSY. The Budget also disappoints in terms of adequate allocation for welfare of S.Cs. S.Ts and other vulnerable sections. There is inadequate focus on providing drinking water facilities. This is a huge disappointment for our State. In general, increase in Central assistance to States for Centrally sponsored and Central Sector Schemes is less than 5 % over the revised estimate. It is apparent that adequate resources have not been allocated commensurate with the announcement made. On the whole Union Budget 2018-19 falls much short of our expectation. In spite of chronic neglect by the Central Government, Government of Odisha is always committed to the empowerment of women. From Mission Shakti to Mamata to 50 per cent reservation in PRI and Urban Local Bodies-women have been the focal point of all key interventions. In continuation to the Government’s pro-women initiatives, a new programme “KHUSHI” has been implemented. It pertains to universal provisioning of free sanitary napkins to all 17 lakh girls in Government and Govt.-aided Schools from Class-VI to Class-XII. This will go a long way in promoting health and hygiene among school-going adolescent girls leading to higher retention in school and greater empowerment of women. Odisha has emerged as a leader in bringing 8 million people above poverty line with a reduction of 24 percentage point in poverty levels in a decade. Odisha is also a leading State in the country in providing housing to the poor. The conditional cash transfer mechanism under Mamata scheme for pregnant women has benefitted more than 3.1 million women. Five million women have been empowered through 5 lakh S.H.Gs. Odisha’s achievements on various social indicators in women development and empowerment is praiseworthy. Hon’ble Chief Minister has made the country proud on being conferred with the “Adarsha Mukhyamantri Award” for his outstanding courage, commitment and conviction coupled with revolutionary idea of clean governance and making Odisha an ideal State. Receiving the award of ideal Chief Minister from former President of India Smt. Prativa Devi Singh Patil, our Chief Minister rightly said, “when you keep people first, it is good politics and there is no anti-incumbency." Editor, Odisha Review.