The Patha Utsav was celebrated on the Janpath on Sunday with multiple themes like hockey and patriotism, but participation of the brass band of Border Security Force (BSF) and Naval Veterans’ Club, Odisha at the special edition of the event on the concluding day of the .FEST made the occasion memorable.
Young and old, kids, women and even middle-aged men sported Indian flag on their face by expert painters, who coloured the faces with the Indian National Flag on the occasion of Patha Utsav. The two designated stages for performances were also seen playing many famous patriotic songs making the Vijay Divas occasion filled with patriotic flavor.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda announced that after the .FEST and World Cup Hockey (WCH), the Patha Utsav would continue every Sunday on the Janpath as it was happening earlier.
In a goodbye gesture to the mascot of the World Cup Hockey-2018, a Rangoli art on the Janpath was created by Itishree Dixit and group.
The Springdale Maritime Academy, Bhubaneswar also created a Rangoli on the game’s mascot Olly and the maritime tradition of ancient Kalinga.
While local talent Barnali Hota mesmerised the crowd with her performance, city-based Punjabi Cultural Association organised a youthful Bhangra dance. The Punjabi Cultural Association also held an awareness drive on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak through the Gurudwara Singh Sabha along Janpath.
While ‘Mo Cycle’ continued to pull crowd and the young people were seen queuing up near the public bicycle sharing (PBS) docking station near Janpath, they were also seeking answers to their queries.
Members of city-based Laughter Club also participated in the festival.
Among other things, making of paper bags and container from paper, awareness on medicinal plants and distribution of saplings by the AYUSH wing of the Health Department, a children’s corner by the PECUC and sign languages by the Aaina attracted visitors.