74th Birth Day Bash of Odisha

Bikash Choudhury


Let the entire World celebrate 1st of April as Fools Day; we all, shall proudly say, we are Odiya.1st April 2010, would be celebrated in Odisha as 74 the Janma tithie of Odisha reunification. This would be a special day for all Odiyas living in the State, outside the State or abroad. There are auspicious signs for Odisha in the beginning of new decade: Govt. of Orissa has announced about use of Odiya language in State administration in a phased manner and further, there is continuous debate in public, news paper editorials, columns about need for action to preserve, protect, propagate and Popularize Odiya language among the residents of the State. Again the popularity of Odissi dance form has increased significantly across the State, by only looking at the number of Odissi performance being conducted in recent past. In a happier note, 15th National Youth Festivals was organized very successfully in the State Capital at Bhubaneswar.

Now, we must celebrate in style and in a manner and scale for the whole world to sit-up and take notice without being austentious and with an objective to showcase the State and its achievement, put forth its demand for being taken seriously and create a brand Odisha in a short period of time. We should take into account all shades of public opinion while conducting ODISHA DIVAS 2010.

This time, apart from State level function at Bhubaneswar, we must have ODISHA DIVAS official functions at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai & Chennai in collaboration with Odiya residents of respective cities to create emotional bonding among Prabasi Odiyas and develop attachment for the state while making a foundation for larger than life Brand Odisha.

The main function at Bhubaneswar should be organized in a large scale that we have recently seen with the opening ceremony of 15th National Youth Festival. We must invite eminent people from all continents from various walks of life to introduce ancient prosperous state of Kalinga, currently named after Odiya language- Odisha and its rich history; one documentary film could be premiered on the occasion. Further, Odisha could be represented in a star studded cultural function depicting Odisha’s rich dance form Odissi and other folk dances from north, west and south Odisha. Foreign Guests and dignitaries could be shown places of tourist importance in collaboration with Hotel & Restaurant Association of Orissa; with suitable arrangement for live coverage in NDTV good times and similar TV channels to promote tourism in the State. Further, Business delegation could be shown potential venue for investment in the State.

74th Birth Day bash of Odisha should be able to entertain global audience, attract global talent and entice global capital to make this birth day memorable for along time and one epoch making event once a year.