The Utkal Divas was celebrated at various palaces across Brahmapur by a host of organisations on Saturday. Apart from garlanding several freedom fighters and leaders who led a movement for special State formation of Odisha, seminars and poetry recitations were held.
Members of the Biju Patnaik Senior Citizens Forum and Utkal Samillani garlanded the statue of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati near the Vijaya Talkies and the statues of other leaders in the town. President Rash Bihari Das, secretary Denabandhu Sripallabha, besides many intellectuals, spoke.
The district administration took out a chariot on the occasion, besides garlanding several statues across the town. BDA Chairman Subash Maharana, BMC Commissioner Manoj Mishra among others were present.
The People’s Trust held a seminar on the 82 years of the State formation of Odisha. Dr Bijaya Kumar Bahoidar, CPI (M) State secretary Ali Kishore Patnaik among others spoke. The Information and Public Relations Department organised a seminar entitled ‘Odia Swabhiman re Sahitya ra Bhumika”. The Sikhya Mangal Samiti observed the day at the Gosaninuagam KC High School by holding a seminar. Khallikote Cluster University VC Prof Manmath Padhi spoke.
The Manav Adhikar Surakhya Manch held the Utkal Divas by garlanding statues of several sons of the soil. Advisor Abani Kumar Gaya presided over a meeting held on the occasion. The Brahmapur Mananagar Soundhik Samaj held a seminar and garlanded statues of leaders who played a key role in the formation of Odisha as a State. Kuna Sahu presided. Yudhistri Sahu, Bhisma Chaudhury and Sabita Sahukar Trinath Sahu were present.