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!

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing the history bit here and belated b'day wishes for the daugther!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting my blog.

      I also thank you for wishing my daughter for her birthday. I am conveying this to her.

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