The Odisha government plans to introduce the Nua-O scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Under this initiative, male students will receive Rs 9000, while female students will get Rs 10,000 annually as financial aid.
A 10-time former Odisha MLA, V Sugnana Kumari Deo was originally from Chennai. She was a member of the erstwhile Khallikote royal family and was respected by leaders across party lines.
Patnaik said the airport would usher in an era of development in the region and open up new avenues of communication, tourism and trade in Malkangiri and nearby areas. He had arrived at the airport on a plane just before the inauguration.