The five-day annual Banpur Mahotsav was inaugurated by Steel and Mines Minister Rajanikanta Singh in the presence of local MP Pinaki Misra at the Paltan ground here on Tuesday. local MlA Raghunath Sahu along with Banpur block chairman Manash Ranjan Pradhan brought the Mashal from the Bhagabati Temple to the venue a in the morning.
Chief guest former CBI director Uma Shankar Mishra said Banpur is culturally, revolutionary and mythlogically famous in the world and its contribution to the Odia literature in every aspect is wonderful. Khordha district Collector Niranjan Sahu said the Mahotsav encourages popularising local literature in national and international languages. The event features various cultural programmes including Odishi, Samalpuri, Ranapa and tribal dances.