Bhubaneswar: A preparatory meeting took place today at Lok Seva Bhavan under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg to finalize arrangements for the celebration of Odisha Divas 2026.
The Chief Secretary issued detailed instructions and suggestions to ensure the day is observed with joy, enthusiasm and wide appeal in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, the state capital Bhubaneswar, all revenue offices, districts and sub-divisions.
Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, who holds portfolios including Home, Industries, Information and Public Relations, presented an update on the preparations. The main state-level function will be held on April 1 at Jayadev Bhawan. A special photo exhibition highlighting the historical formation of Odisha as a separate province will be organised at the venue.
The general meeting during the state-level celebration will be attended by the Chief Minister along with other distinguished guests. Academicians and personalities who have made remarkable contributions in different fields will be felicitated, while winners of various competitions will receive awards.
The Information and Public Relations Department will release a special edition of Utkal Samasti Odisha Review featuring the state government’s major development initiatives. The third edition of the magazine Pragati Prabha will also be launched. The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department has planned a cultural programme at Jayadev Bhawan.
Discussions covered additional activities such as garlanding statues of Odisha’s illustrious personalities at prominent locations, playing patriotic and Odia music across the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area, illuminating government buildings and national enterprises, and carrying out cleaning and garlanding of memorials.
Odisha Divas will be celebrated in major cities including New Delhi in collaboration with the local Odia community, as well as in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and other metropolitan centres. From April 1 to April 14, the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, together with concerned departments, will organise a series of programmes focused on Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department Sanjay Kumar Singh, Commissioner and Secretary, School and Mass Education Department Dr. N. Tirumala Nayak, Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism Department Balwant Singh, Director, Information and Public Relations Department Anuj Kumar Das Patnaik, and senior officials from other relevant departments.With these comprehensive plans, the Odisha government is set to make Odisha Divas 2026 a vibrant celebration of the state’s identity, progress and cultural legacy.
