**Bhubaneswar: ** Odia communities across the country and abroad on Saturday celebrated Utkala Dibasa to mark the formation of the then Orissa, now Odisha, state on a linguistic basis in 1936. Celebrations were organised at various places across the State to mark the day.
Attending a cultural event in the evening, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an award for the female Odia literatures.
He said, “Our government will keep working for the development of Odia language and culture. In order to recognise the contribution of women in the field of literature, the Government will give an award in the name of Kuntala Kumari Sabat.”
Celebrity singer Rituraj Mohanty entertained the crowd with his performance on this occasion.
Information and Broadcast Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Panda and Bhubaneswar Mayor Anant Naratan Jena also graced the event.
