Since lakhs of people are still in distress due to cyclone Phailin and subsequent flood and rain, we must donate our budget for the cultural festival Mondei to the Chief Minister’s relief fund for rehabilitation of the victims, said Nabarangpur Municipality vice chairman Prahallad Tripathy.
He appealed to the District Collector cum chairperson of the district council of culture (DCC) that organises the festival to stop the celebration this year. Similarly, expressing solidarity with the calamity victims, office bearers and members of the district bus owner’s association, truck owners association and Rotary Club warned that they would not cooperate if the district administration goes ahead with its plan to celebrate Mondei. Notably, the grand festival of the tribal dominated district is scheduled to be held from December 4. It involves lavish expenditures and ostentations.
Rotary Club president Devi Prasad Patnaik said, “We will be happy if the district administration helps the cyclone and flood victims instead of celebrating Mondei.” Among others Jhadeswar Khadanga, Bunu Mishra, Pramod Tripathy and Ch Baba Jogendra were present.