Cuttack: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said Odisha had emerged as a model state in the field of welfare measures in the country.

He said his government's welfare schemes had created a social security wall for the poor in Odisha.

Naveen said the prospects of development at villages had also become brighter.

Addressing the Republic Day parade at Barabati Stadium here, Naveen said empowerment of various sections of people had been the major achievement of his government. He said the involvement of women in development work, on the other hand, had paved the way for shaping of an "empowered Odisha".

"Today, Odisha is in an era of empowerment, in which empowerment of the weaker section, farmer, workers, women and youth has been ushered in," Naveen said.

Naveen called upon the youth to serve "Mother Odisha" by excelling in their respective fields in addition to education.

"I strongly believe that the empowered citizens can only take our state to new heights of development."

The chief minister said poverty alleviation and various human development indicators of Odisha were in a better position in comparison to the national rate. "Our growth has been better than the national growth."

He said Odisha had marched along with the development of the country, making significant progress in various fields be it economic, health, education, industry and infrastructure and had neared the developed states.

While Naveen unfurled the tricolour and inspected the parade, over 12 platoons of armed police kept vigil on the stadium. Security was beefed up across the city for the Republic Day. Units of striking forces and quick reaction teams were kept on alert. Armed police were also deployed on the route used by the chief minister to reach and leave the parade venue.