Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated preparations for the 80th State-level Independence Day celebrations, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi set to unfurl the national flag at the official ceremony to be held on Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar at 9 a.m. on August 15.
A high-level preparatory meeting to review arrangements for the event was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Hemanta Sharma on Wednesday. The meeting, convened by the Information and Public Relations Department, discussed the overall plan for organising the state-level celebration and ensuring smooth coordination among all departments.
Emphasising the significance of Independence Day as a symbol of national pride, Sharma directed officials to ensure meticulous planning and flawless execution of every aspect of the programme.
The meeting reviewed arrangements to be made by the Information and Public Relations Department, including preparations at the parade and flag-hoisting venue, morning broadcast of Ramdhun through public address systems, live telecast of the ceremony on television and digital platforms, media coordination, venue decoration, display of photographs of eminent personalities from Odisha, and seating arrangements for invited guests. The route from Lok Bhavan to Mahatma Gandhi Marg will also be decorated for the occasion.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister will present awards to the best contingents and tableaux recognised during the State-level Republic Day parade held earlier this year. Officials were also instructed to ensure the venue is attractively decorated for the celebrations.
As part of the observance, important Central and State government offices, public sector establishments and other prominent buildings across the state will be illuminated. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will oversee sanitation and drinking water facilities at the venue, while the Commissionerate Police will be responsible for security and traffic management during the event.
Senior officials of the Information and Public Relations Department, including Director Anuj Kumar Das Pattanaik, Director (Technical) Gurbir Singh, Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Beuria, Additional Director Smita Kar and Joint Director (Field) Sucheta Priyadarshini, attended the preparatory meeting along with other departmental officers.
