Bhubaneswar: For the second consecutive year, the Odisha government will observe Odia Pakhya across the state from April 1 to April 14, coinciding with Odisha Day and the Odia New Year. The fortnight-long celebration aims to deepen public engagement with Odia language, literature, culture and traditions through a wide range of community-focused activities.
A preparatory meeting for the state-wide celebrations was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. During the meeting, officials reviewed arrangements to organise the programme on a larger scale this year, building on the success of the first-ever state-wide observance of Odia Pakhya in 2025. Special emphasis was laid on organising events at the grassroots level and ensuring active participation of the general public.
As part of the celebrations, various state government departments will organise diverse programmes throughout the fortnight. These will include the observance of Odisha Day, Khadi Chhuan Day, Traditional Attire Day, Folk Art Day, Traditional Food Day and Cleanliness Day. In addition, activities such as blood donation camps, Odia nameplate campaigns, heritage mass runs, youth writers’ conferences and discussion sessions on eminent Odia personalities are planned.
The government has also proposed to design a dedicated logo for Odia Pakhya and launch a separate website to support outreach and coordination. An Odia Pakhya Quiz Competition will be organised during the period, with digital certificates to be issued to all participants. Efforts will be made to involve non-resident Odias, while special focus will be placed on encouraging participation from youth and students of schools, colleges and universities. Programmes highlighting Odia language, literature and culture will also be organised in remote and border areas of the state.
Addressing the meeting, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the core objective of Odia Pakhya is to reconnect people with Odisha’s rich traditions and heritage, while promoting Odia language, literature and culture on a wider platform. He emphasised that coordinated efforts among different departments would be crucial to ensure the smooth implementation of programmes from the block level up to the state level.
Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya, Special Secretary Deba Prasad Dash, Odisha Sahitya Akademi Secretary Chandra Shekhar Hota, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
