The five-day Jagatsinghpur Zilla Mahotsav Kallolo 2017, which was being organised by the District Council of Culture (DCC) here from April 1, concluded on Wednesday evening amid much fanfare.
Excise and Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout, State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Bishnu Das, MlAs Chiranjib Biswal and Prashant Muduli, Zilla Parishad President Priyadrashini Biswal and NISER head Dr Abhaya Nayak graced the function as guests. District Collector Yamini Sarangi chaired the meeting.
In his speech, Rout lauded the district’s rich cultural heritage and contributions for building Odisha on linguistic basis in mid-thirties. However, he said substantial developments in the district have been effected in recent years.
Biswal expressed unhappiness that SPB VC and former MlA Das delivered political speeches highlighting his Government’s achievements in the State.
Biswal’s resentment was supported by his party people who later burnt Das’ effigy on Thursday.
The annual carnival, which depicts Jagatsinghpur’s past history and glory, was started by Das years ago.
Earlier too, Congress had alleged that Das using the Mahotsav as a platform his political growth and brought allegations of funds mismanagement and illegal collection of donations for the fest. In protest, the party had boycotted the celebration in the year 2006.
Putting the allegations at rest, the DCC has been organising the fest since 2007 and renamed it as ‘Kallola Mahotsav’. The festival could not be organised in 2014 for general elections.
As many as 110 stalls, including many Government ones, were put up at the fair ground this year.
Many cultural programmes were held and noted persons from across the district were felicitated.