The Chief Guest, Deputy Chief Minister, Smt. Pravati Parida, celebrated the iconic “World Pakhala Diwas” by enjoying a traditional Pakhala meal at a grand event organized by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) and the State Tourism Department.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Parida emphasized the cultural significance and health benefits of Pakhala, declaring it as more than just food but a “way of life” for Odias. She highlighted how Pakhala, the quintessential Odia dish, has reached every corner of the world and is a symbolic treasure of Odia identity and tradition. She also urged Odisha’s youth to promote Pakhala and related Odia literature through blogs and social media platforms.
Prominent speakers, including Bhubaneswar Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, praised Pakhala as an environmentally friendly dish, increasingly gaining popularity in high-end hotels through innovative Pakhala platters. Chief Dietician Smt. Anjana Tripathy of Kalinga Hospital emphasized the probiotic benefits of Pakhala, advocating its inclusion in daily summer diets to maintain physical and mental balance.
The celebration honoured six distinguished Odia food bloggers who have promoted Odia cuisine globally. The event also marked the announcement of a special “MasterChef Odisha Cuisine” episode to be aired next week on a national television network, further boosting Odisha’s culinary fame.
The program concluded with Odisha Tourism Commissioner Balwant Singh acknowledging Pakhala’s cultural importance in his speech, calling it an “exceptional celebration of Odisha’s heritage.” The initiative aims to position Pakhala as a globally admired food staple while honoring its Odia roots.
