By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR:Our main goal is that Odia youth living in every corner of the world should represent their identity in the country and show the pride and courage to identify themselves as Odia. This was said by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while inaugurating the ‘Odisha Parv-2026’ organized at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex in New Delhi on Friday.
In this program organized by the Odia society, Shri Pradhan said, the foundation of Odia identity is Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath. With the blessings of Mahaprabhu, Odias have created a special identity in the world today, and this festival organized in the national capital is a great opportunity to restore our identity. ‘Odisha Parva’ is a unique combination of Odisha’s art, culture, heritage and skills. However, this year’s celebration is more glorious because we are now celebrating the 600th birth anniversary of Adi Kabi Sarala Das, the iron man Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Veer Surendra Sai, Ma’ Rama Devi and Shaheed Baji Rout, making this time more relevant.
This platform of Odisha festival has today gained a special recognition at the national level. From the Honorable President of India to the Vice President and Prime Minister, eminent leaders of the country have participated in it and enhanced the glory of our culture. The Odisha festival has become a national movement and is strengthening the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat’. Shri Pradhan has invited all the people living in Delhi, especially my Odia brothers and sisters living abroad, to come to this festival and enjoy the unique harmony of Odisha’s art, culture and nature.
Shri Pradhan further said, “As 2036 marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the separate Odisha state, the next 10 years are a time of determination for us. To fulfill the Prime Minister’s ‘Developed India’ challenge, 4.5 crore Odias will have to come together and take the responsibility of building a prosperous and developed Odisha,” he said.
On this occasion, Shri Pradhan visited various exhibitions organized at the festival premises and interacted with the artisans and artists. Shri Pradhan thanked the ‘Odia Samaj’ and everyone associated with it for keeping the main theme of the festival “Culture and Nature” this year and for organizing this beautiful event. Shri Pradhan expressed his opinion that the three-day festival (March 13 to 15) will be a great opportunity to bring the art, food and traditions of Odisha to the people of Delhi.
Among others present at the event were Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Government Minister Shri Ashish Sud, and Odia Samaj President Shri Siddhartha Pradhan.
