Eminent persons on Tuesday observed the birth anniversary of Kantakabi laxmikanta Mohapatra by garlanding his statue near the Post Master General Office here and demanded State anthem status to Bande Utkal Janani written by the late poet.
Organised by the Utkal Sammilani, the programme was attended by Bhubaneswar Central MlA Bijay Mohanty and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Sammilani Mancheswar Industrial Estate unit president Dillip Dashsharma, Kantakabi’s grandsons Guru Kalyan Mohapatra and Prabhu Kalyan Mohapara and local corporator.
On the occasion, the guests urged the State Government to take initiatives to accord Bande Utkal Janani written by the legendary poet as State song status.