The upcoming Utkal Divas celebrations will honor Odisha’s cultural heritage and linguistic identity with statewide events, including the inaugural ‘Odia Paksha’ from April 1 to April 14
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Mohan Charan Majhi government has announced plans for a major celebration of Utkal Divas, also known as Odisha Day, which commemorates the establishment of Odisha on April 1, 1936. This state was created based on linguistic identity, breaking away from the Bihar and Orissa province during British rule. The celebrations will showcase the vibrant culture and traditions of Odisha.
Odisha’s Culture Minister Suryavansi Suraj shared that this year’s events will be especially significant. “For the first time, Odia Paksha will be celebrated with great enthusiasm from Odisha Day on April 1 until the Odia New Year on April 14,” he mentioned. Various government departments will host activities ranging from the block level to the state level.
Odia Asmita
The celebrations are designed to promote Odia culture, traditions, and customs on a global scale. Suraj mentioned that from April 1 to April 14, various days will highlight aspects of Odisha’s language, culture, festivals, attire, and other elements that embody Odia Asmita pride. The BJP’s focus on Odia Asmita during the Assembly elections helped strengthen its position in the state.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will take part in the Odia Paksha celebration at Satyabhamapur in the Cuttack district on April 1. This site is significant as it is the birthplace of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. The event emphasizes the role of cultural heritage in enhancing state pride.
BJD Too
The opposition party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Naveen Patnaik, has also announced plans to celebrate Utkal Divas in all assembly segments and districts. Debi Prasad Mishra, Chairman of the BJD Coordination Committee, highlighted the importance of honoring those who played a role in the formation of Odisha based on linguistic identity.
Atanu S Nayak, convenor of the BJD Membership Campaign Committee, outlined their plans for statewide celebrations. “We will commemorate the day as it represents the rich history of Odisha and the great individuals who fought for its linguistic identity,” Mishra stated. Their activities will include photo tributes and discussion circles at statues of key historical figures essential to Odisha’s establishment.
Leaders will be present in different districts, but BJD president Naveen Patnaik will join the festivities at Shankha Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. This event at the party’s state headquarters underscores their dedication to celebrating Odisha’s historical importance and cultural heritage.
The forthcoming Utkal Divas celebrations are set to showcase the vibrant culture of Odisha. Both government programs and political parties are eager to pay tribute to the state’s history and its prominent personalities. These celebrations seek to enhance the people’s understanding and appreciation of Odisha’s distinct identity.