The Odisha Minority Forum wished people of the State a “blessed and meaningful Christmas” on Wednesday.Forum president Dr Swarupananda Patra said, “We bring good tidings and warm wishes of Christmas to each one in Odisha and beyond. Christmas is not only a time of fellowship and celebration but also a time for reflection and prayer. We pray that this Christmas bring peace, love, joy and brotherhood among all in the entire State.”
Dr Patra informed that across the State, the Christian community celebrated the Christmas with great warmth and social bonding. “Churches of all denominations across the 30 districts of Odisha reported that the faithful prayed piously for peace and love in society,” he said.
The forum also thanked the State Government and the district administration of Kandhamal for ensuring a peaceful Christmas in the district after the withdrawal of a bandh call given by a local organisation on the day.
“We thank the Chief Minister, the Government and the Kandhamal district administration for taking proactive steps in restoring confidence among the people of the district and ensuring a peaceful Christmas,” Dr Patra said.