Odisha is set to celebrate the 79th Independence Day with grandeur, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will grace the state-level event as the chief guest. He will hoist the national flag and receive the salute at the ceremonial parade, marking a significant moment of pride for the state.
A preparatory meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, Hemant Sharma, was held today to outline the arrangements. Emphasising the importance of Independence Day as a national festival and a symbol of pride, Sharma urged meticulous attention to every detail of the event’s organisation.
Key preparations include a practice parade on Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar from August 11 to 13. On August 15, the state-level celebration will feature the flag-hoisting ceremony, a parade, and the rendition of Ramdhun with traditional instruments. Arrangements for live telecasts on television and social media, seating for dignitaries and media, and vibrant decorations at the venue and along the route from Raj Bhavan were finalised.
The event will also see the Chief Minister honouring outstanding performers from the Republic Day 2025 parade and tableau. Special editions of Utkal Prasanga and Odisha Review, published by the I&PR Department, will be unveiled by the Chief Minister.
Invitations will be printed and distributed, and government buildings across the state will be illuminated. The celebrations will extend to RDC zones, districts, and subdivisions with equal fervour.
The meeting saw participation from key officials, including Director Anuj Kumar Das Pattnaik, Additional Secretary Bishnupriya Sahu, Deputy Director (Field) Sucheta Priyadarshini, and Financial Advisor Prithviraj Pani, ensuring a coordinated effort for a memorable celebration.
![Sunil Gavaskar walks up to Shubman Gill after India captain narrowly misses his record, floors him with priceless gift.
“Well done, I had got a gift for you in anticipation of going past [me]," Gavaskar said, in a Sony Sports video that’s now going viral on social media. “But, at least you got something to aim for in the next series. This is just a little gift, it’s a shirt with ‘SG’ initials. Mere liye kisi ne banaya tha, par mai aapko de raha hu. Aapko fit hoga ya nahi maloom nahi. (Someone made it for me, but I am giving it to you. I don’t know if it will fit you.) This is a little cap, which I give to very few people, with my signature."](https://scontent-pnq1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/527451395_18365697325144460_7092620374107419721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=RgHvR5Y7utwQ7kNvwFjRWox&_nc_oc=Adnm54czip3gtvVygw5r7I8l_vkDWc11OxzUQtUHKvAWJHzOkFdJknBZ5-IYEKg-CDMbJb_i_z21IwHbPA5EBphU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-pnq1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=f0yHIIYHkgr_syQQRyjp4Q&oh=00_AfUAGAiJgVrLP0zGFUw37ijKUTcVjkmb6wlq4-5JF6l1bQ&oe=6896892E "Sunil Gavaskar walks up to Shubman Gill after India captain narrowly misses his record, floors him with priceless gift.
“Well done, I had got a gift for you in anticipation of going past [me],\" Gavaskar said, in a Sony Sports video that’s now going viral on social media. “But, at least you got something to aim for in the next series. This is just a little gift, it’s a shirt with ‘SG’ initials. Mere liye kisi ne banaya tha, par mai aapko de raha hu. Aapko fit hoga ya nahi maloom nahi. (Someone made it for me, but I am giving it to you. I don’t know if it will fit you.) This is a little cap, which I give to very few people, with my signature.\"")
