A crowd of more than one thousand people gathered for the sake of their Odia mother-tongue, literature and culture. They pledged for restoration of the identity of Odia. This was witnessed at the Khordha Maa Batamagala temple premises on the occasion of the Maha Vishub Sankranti on Tuesday. Organised by the Khordha Bisub Milan Samiti, the event was marked by a literary meet, a poem recitation programme and other cultural events.
The literary meet, presided over by Samiti president and renowned historian Satyabadi Baliarsingh, was attended by distinguished guests like Odia actor Binayak Mishra, litterateur Dr Aadikanda Sahu, Khordha ADM Krupasindhu Mishra and terracotta sculptor Debaraj Sahu.
On the occasion, litterateur Prof Prafulla Paikray, artist Satyabadi Pradhan and children’s writer Birendra Samantaray were conferred with Gyanajyoti, Kalajyoti and Anubhab Samman, respectively. Besides, poet Gopinath Dash, Rajkishore Brahma, Binod Bihari Rautray and scribe Subhransu Ranjan Samantaray were felicitated.
Samiti secretary poet Gyanaranjan Dash, litterateur Samarendra Baliarsingh, Aashis Ranjan Ray and Nisikanta Kahalsingh coordinated the event.