The Keonjhar District Admininstration which was all set to host a long awaited Kedujhar mahotsav, 2015 from April 1 to 5 at Kalipadia after a five years’ gap, suddenly changed its mind and dropped the plan. The move followed a protest by some organisations against holding the festival. Thousands of people who reached the ground with their families on the inaugural day went back home disappointed as the mahotsav function and cultural celebrations were cancelled.
A few protestors had threatened self immolation if the festival was organised. Finally, the Collector decided not to have any function, cultural festival or meeting in the venue. However, it stuck to its earlier decision of holding a Pallishree Mela (trade fair) in a very simple manner. The artisans, traders and self help group members who had come from different parts of the country were unhappy as their expectation of brisk sale was belied. People were seen taking strolls around the stalls in the morning and evenings. Collector BP Sahoo and SP Kavita Jalan inaugurated the fair on April 1as per schedule. The Pallishree Mela will conclude on April 5.