Bhubaneswar: The state capital, Bhubaneswar, which was accorded the status of Capital on April 13, 1948, is celebrating its 77 birth anniversary today. The then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, gave the auspicious name to the capital. Bhubaneswar has grown in stature over time. Today, the city is celebrating its 77th foundation day with various programme at government and private levels.
On this occasion, a session will be held at Utkal Mandapam in the evening, where Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, leaders, ministers, and officials will join. The city has been decorated for the foundation day, with roads and important government buildings like Vidhan Sabha, Lok Seva Bhavan, and the Commissionerate Police office, AG office lit up with colourful garlands and fancy lights.
Speaker Surama Padhy laid a wreath at the foundation plaque in the presence of BMC Mayor Sulochana Das. A special parade was organized, featuring 21 platoons of police and students from colleges and schools.
Bhubaneswar replaced Cuttack as Odisha’s new capital, with a population of 15,000 at the time. Now, over 1.5 million people live in the capital. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was formed on August 14, 1994. Over 77 years, Bhubaneswar has transformed into a smart city, emerging as a hub for health, education, and IT.