Statewide festivities planned for Odisha Divas on April 1

Bhubaneswar(Ajoy Mishra): A preparatory meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has discussed about a grand celebrations for Odisha Divas 2025, scheduled for April 1.

This year, the state-level celebration will be held at the historic birthplace of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das, Satyabhamapur in Salepur, Cuttack district. The event will be a landmark occasion, honouring the state’s rich cultural heritage and its pivotal journey toward the formation of the Utkal Province.Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will attend the event as the chief guest at Satyabhamapur, with Ministers, Revenue Divisional Commissioners, and District Collectors attending at various locations across the state.The celebrations will extend beyond Cuttack, with events in Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai, as well as in various districts, subdivisions, and revenue divisions. The capital city of Bhubaneswar will also host a significant gathering at Jayadev Bhavan, where a photo exhibition showcasing the formation of Utkal Province, public meetings, felicitation ceremonies, and awards will take centre stage.In addition to these events, cultural programs will be organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department. Floral tributes will be offered at statues of eminent Odia personalities across the state, including in Bhubaneswar. Special editions of Utkal Prasanga and Odisha Review will be released on the occasion.Government offices, corporations, and public sector undertakings in the capital city will be illuminated, while statues of iconic figures will be cleaned and their surroundings beautified in honour of the day.The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of celebrating Odisha Divas with vibrancy and pride. “April 1 is a day of immense pride and glory for all of us. We must make the occasion attractive, vibrant, and memorable,” Ahuja said, calling for active participation and cooperation from all departments involved in organizing the festivities.The state-level celebration at Satyabhamapur, along with the event at Jayadev Bhavan, will be broadcast live for public viewing. The event promises to be a remarkable celebration of Odisha’s heritage, its people, and its contributions to the nation’s growth.