The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) marked Odisha Divas with a grand celebration at Shankha Bhawan, reflecting 24 years of remarkable development in the state.
Led by BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the event highlighted Odisha’s journey of progress, from reducing poverty to advancing education, health, and infrastructure, while honoring the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Patnaik emphasized Odisha’s transformative achievements under BJD’s governance. “The last 24 years have been a new era of development for Odisha, a momentum that no one can stop,” he declared. He noted the state’s success in slashing poverty from 70% to 10%, a milestone achieved through sustained efforts in social welfare and infrastructure development. This aligns with Patnaik’s earlier vision, announced in 2021, to bring poverty levels down to 10% within five years—a goal Odisha has now met, as per the latest figures shared at the event.
The celebration also showcased Odisha’s strides in agriculture, investment, education, health, sports, and disaster management. Patnaik highlighted the classical status granted to the Odia language, the establishment of Odia University, and the creation of research chairs for Odia studies in various universities across India. “The development of Utkal Gaurav and Utkalmani’s birthplaces echoes the pride of Odia identity,” he added, referring to the state’s efforts to honour its historical figures.
ଗତ ୨୪ ବର୍ଷ ଥିଲା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ବିକାଶର ନୂଆ ଯୁଗ। ଏହାକୁ କେହି ରୋକି ପାରିବ ନାହିଁ। ସଭାପତି ଶ୍ରୀ @Naveen_Odisha ଶଙ୍ଖ ଭବନରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଦିବସ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ସାମିଲ ହୋଇ ଗୌରବମୟ ଇତିହାସକୁ ମନେ ପକାଇବା ସହ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ବୋଧିତ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
ଗରିବୀ ହ୍ରାସ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ୨୪ବର୍ଷରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଉଲ୍ଲେଖନୀୟ ସଫଳତା ହାସଲ କରିଛି, ଏହା… pic.twitter.com/A0xpDuhdum
— Biju Janata Dal (@bjd_odisha) April 1, 2025
During the event, several distinguished individuals were felicitated for their contributions to Odisha’s growth and cultural legacy. Among them were Padmashri Dr. Debi Prasanna Pattnaik, a renowned linguist; Dr. Dinesh Shadangi, former minister of Jharkhand; poet Dr. Mini Shadangi; and Everest conqueror Mamata Raut.
The Odisha Divas event, also known as Utkal Divas, commemorates the formation of Odisha as a separate state on April 1, 1936, based on its linguistic identity. The celebration at Shankha Bhawan, the BJD’s state headquarters, was attended by party leaders, workers, and citizens.
Patnaik also looked to the future, noting that Odisha will celebrate its centennial in a few years. He recalled the vision of Biju Patnaik, the legendary leader and former Chief Minister, to make Odisha the number one state in Asia. “With everyone’s cooperation, this dream of Biju Babu will surely be fulfilled,” he said, rallying support for continued progress.
The event drew widespread appreciation on social media, with users praising Odisha’s development under Patnaik’s leadership.
The Odisha Divas celebration not only honoured the state’s past but also set an optimistic tone for its future, reinforcing the BJD’s commitment to development and cultural pride as Odisha marches toward its centennial milestone.
