Bhubaneswar: The 78th Capital Foundation Day was celebrated with grandeur on Monday, with a host of dignitaries, cultural displays, and a grand parade marking the historic occasion.
Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi attended as the chief guest. Among those present were Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, MLAs Ananta Narayan Jena and Sushant Kumar Rout, Mayor Sulochana Das, former Minister Suresh Kumar Routray, and several senior administrative and civic officials.
A grand torch procession commenced from Lingaraj Temple and passed through key city landmarks before culminating at PMG Square. The procession was led by Olympian Dutee Chand along with other prominent personalities.
The main programme, jointly organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, and the Capital Foundation Day Celebration Committee, featured the garlanding of the foundation plaque in front of the Assembly building, followed by a ceremonial parade. Speaker Padhi hoisted the national flag and took the salute during the civil parade, which saw participation from 51 contingents.
In the parade competitions, BJB Autonomous College secured first place in the college category, followed by Sainik School and Rajdhani College. Among English medium schools, DAV Unit-8 topped the list, while Government High School, IRC Village emerged first in the Odia medium category. Special awards were presented to several institutions and groups, including the Odisha Skating Academy and CRPF Band.
Marking the city’s historical significance, it was recalled that Bhubaneswar was formally established as the capital on April 13, 1948, when India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unveiled the foundation plaque. Originally planned for a population of around 40,000, the city has since grown into a major urban centre with over 1.5 million residents.
Addressing the gathering, Mayor Das urged citizens to preserve the city’s cultural heritage while working towards a cleaner and greener capital. Speaker Padhi called upon residents to contribute to Bhubaneswar’s continued growth and shared her personal connection with the city.
On the occasion, a photo exhibition showcasing Bhubaneswar’s heritage, architecture, and development journey was inaugurated at Jaydev Bhavan by the Speaker. The two-day exhibition, organised by the Information and Public Relations Department, will remain open to visitors until Tuesday.
Committee President Pradosh Pattnaik delivered the welcome address, while BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana proposed the vote of thanks.
