The Utkal Sammilani, in association with the Utkal Silpa Parichalana Samaj, observed the Nuankhai festival at the premises of the Rourkela Dhamra Sangh on Saturday.
The event, inaugurated by Sammilani’s former president Dr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, was presided over by its Rourkela unit head Gobardhan Pujari. Chief guest Sammilani State president Guruprasad Dash spoke on the vision of the body and underlined the need for protection of Odia language and culture.
Sammilani Mancheswar Industrial area branch head Dillip Dashsharma said Odisha being an agrarian State, Nuankhai, the festival of farmers, is being celebrated with much religious fervour. He called for concerted efforts for agricultural development in the State by giving priority to the farm sector.
Several children performed Sambalpuri and Odishi dances on the occasion. Among others, Sammilani State vice-president Bichitrananda Sahoo and Rourkela unit secretary Akhay Das and Silpa Parichalana Samaj president Balaram Mohapatra and secretary Chittaranjan Dash were present.