The Odisha Government is gearing up for an expanded and more inclusive observance of Odia Pakhya this year, a fortnight-long celebration dedicated to promoting Odia language, literature, culture, and heritage.
A key preparatory meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Odia Language, Literature and Culture. The session reviewed strategies to scale up the celebrations, building on the successful inaugural observance last year.
The government plans to hold Odia Pakhya from April 1 (Utkal Diwas) to April 14 (Odia New Year), with a strong emphasis on grassroots-level programmes to ensure widespread public participation.
Various state departments will collaborate to organise diverse activities, including:
- Observance of Odisha Day
- Khadi Chhuan Day
- Traditional Attire Day
- Folk Art Day
- Traditional Food Day
- Cleanliness Day
- Blood donation drives
- Odia nameplate campaigns
- Heritage mass runs
- Youth writers’ conferences
- Discussion sessions on eminent Odia personalities
Additional initiatives include designing a dedicated logo for Odia Pakhya, launching a separate website, and conducting an Odia Pakhya Quiz Competition with digital certificates for all participants. Special efforts will focus on engaging non-resident Odias (Odias living outside the state), as well as youth and students from schools, colleges, and universities. Programmes highlighting the Odia language, literature, and culture will also be organised in remote and border areas.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that the primary objective of Odia Pakhya is to reconnect people with their Odia traditions and heritage while promoting the language, literature, and culture on a broader scale. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts across departments to ensure seamless implementation from the block level to the state level.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Dr. Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya, Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department; Deba Prasad Dash, Special Secretary of the department; Dr Chandra Shekhar Hota, Secretary, Odisha Sahitya Akademi; and other key functionaries.
The celebrations aim to foster pride in Odia identity and encourage active community involvement in preserving and celebrating the state’s rich cultural legacy.
