The Millennium City of Cuttack always remains a testimony to the socio-cultural, educational and sporting metamorphosis of Odisha.
In order to propagate and rediscover the historical roots in the city, the Cuttack Heritage Walks (CHW) has been conducting regular heritage walks, and yesterday, it celebrated its 7th annual day at the Conference Hall of Odisha Cricket Association under the leadership of Dipak Samantarai, convener of CHW. On this occasion, several traditional artisans of the city were also felicitated as a token of love, gratitude and respect towards their dedication in continuing the age-old practices decade after decade.
The artisans, who were honoured by CHW, include: Pankaj Charan Sahoo and Biswanath Dey (silver filigree of Cuttack), Ashok Behera (horn work), Purna Chandra (Japani), Singh Jari work on the tableau of Goddess Durga and Urvashi (Baiyani) for making colourful clay dolls.
Eminent poet and retired bureaucrat Pradeep Kumar Biswal chaired the special session of CHW and the participants and members of the heritage group, drawn from verious walks of life participated in the discussions relating to heritage, culture and traditions of the silver city and expressed their concern over better, timely and sustaibale upkeep of the heritage sites and traditions across the historic city.
In his speech, the chief speaker, Professor Kharavel Mahanti, declared that without mentioning the fort Barabati, the history of Odisha is next to impossible. He, at length, spoke about the status, location and historical perspective of the historic Fort Barabati during the different periods of the Kalingan era, namely under the Afghan, Mughal, Marathas and Britishers.
He also narrated how the greatest edifice of the Kalingan strength and power gradually and systematically withered and met with decline and loss. Chief Guest and history enthusiast JP Jagdev and Guest of Honour Professor Sanjay Achrya highlighted how Cuttack has always played a pivotal role in glorifying the position and importance of Odisha both at the national and international arena.
On this occasion, CHW also felicitated Sanjay Baral, Ashoka Nayak, Dr. Kumar Aurojyoti, Debi Prasanna Nanda, Suresh Prasad Mishra, Malay Pati, Srikant Singh, Trilochan Swain, Pankaj Sahoo, Bachan Maharana, Biswanath Dey, Ashok Behera, Purnachandra (Japani) Singh and Biswaranjan Dehury as Heritage Warriors.
Similarly, the heritage group also felicitated Asit Mohanty, Kishore Bit, Jivananda Mishra, Om Prakash Mohanty, Prof. Chinmay Jena, Hitesh Seth, Raja Parija, Bibhuti Bhusan Barik, Manoj Mohapatra, Jitendriya Singh, Kabita Pattnaik, Arunita Padhi, Kumar Prasanjeet Sahoo, Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Akash Pattnaik, Amar Prasad Patra, Byapti Patnaik, Gobinda Chand (Utkala Sahitya Samaj), Harekrishna Rout and Amiya Ranjan Mohapatra as Heritage Lovers.
Among others, Dr Hemanta Kumar Parida, Bisweswar Das, Ajay Mishra, Biswaranjan Mohanty, Biswajit Sahoo, and Dipa Samantrai were present. They also took part and narrated their experiences and views. Hitesh Seth, a senior member of CHW, proposed the vote of thanks.
