Tuesday 14 April 2015

Happy Odia New Year

On this auspicious Maha Vishuba Sankranti, i wish all Odias, spread over the world, A Very Happy New Year!

On this occasion, let us have a peek at the heritage, culture and the variety of life in Odisha.



I also convey my greetings and best wishes to the Bengali brethren who also are celebrating the Bengali New Year's day on Maha Vishub Sankranti today!

It may be of interest to know that the new capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, celebrated its 67th birthday yesterday, just one day before the Odia New Year Day. Cuttack was the capital of Odisha since ancient times and continued to be so after the British took over its administration in 1803. The capital was shifted to a vast wasteland near the ancient temple-town Bhubaneswar, presided over by Lord Lingaraj. The new capital city was planned by Otto Konigsberger in 1946. The foundation stone, located near the present building of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru on the 13th April, 1948. Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab was then the Prime Minister of Odisha. (Before the Indian Constitution came into force on the 26th January,1950, the head of the Government of the States in India were called 'Prime Minister'.)

The new capital city was planned for a population of 40,000 on a 12 square kilo metre area. The present population of Bhubaneswar is 10 lakh spread over a 135 square kilo metre area. The Population has been projected at 20 lakh in 2025. Bhubaneswar Development Authority has identified 745 acres on the outskirts of the city to develop a satellite township to accommodate the growth. 

Incidentally, Daughter Two too celebrated her birthday yesterday!

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Happy Utkal Diwas

Wishing all Odias, in Odisha, in the rest of India and the Odia diaspora all over the world, A VERY HAPPY UTKAL DIWAS!

Vande Utkal Janani! 

Let us celebrate by viewing an Odissi dance presentation by the legendary danseuse Late Sanjukta Panigrahi, goddess of Odissi dance! The vocal music is by another legend of Odisha, her husband the Late Raghunath Panigrahi. ...and more... Source of videos: You Tube