Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will observe “Odia Pakhya-2026” from April 1 to April 14 with a series of cultural, literary and public engagement programmes across the state in from Odisha Day.
A preparatory meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg was held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Monday to finalise arrangements. She directed officials to make the programmes “extensive and attractive” and emphasised mass participation, encouraging people to share photos, selfies and videos using the hashtag #OdiaPakhya2026.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Rashmita Panda described the initiative as a “cultural renaissance”, urging people to treat it not merely as a festival but as a campaign to awaken pride in Odia identity.
More than 14 programmes will be organised over 14 days in coordination with multiple departments. The celebrations will begin on April 1 with Odisha Day events at the birthplace of Gopabandhu Das in Suando village of Puri district, and later in the evening at Krushi Shiksha Sadan in Bhubaneswar. Similar observances will be held in New Delhi and across districts and subdivisions.
According to the schedule, April 2 will mark Khadi Chuan Day with school enrolment drives and “Pravesh Utsav”. On April 3 and 4, the “Ama Poshak Ama Parichaya Day” campaign will promote traditional attire in government institutions along with a selfie contest. A special drive to enforce Odia signboards in commercial establishments will also be undertaken.
A Heritage Mass Run on April 5 will focus on conservation of major heritage sites, while April 6 will see cleanliness and beautification drives at temples and heritage locations.
April 7, observed as Shishu Katha Divas, will feature distribution of children’s literature and Odia texts, including works of Jagannath Das, along with storytelling and competitions. Public awareness programmes on government schemes will also be held.
Blood donation camps will be organised on April 8, followed by a statewide book-buying campaign “Aasa Bahitie Kiniba Abhiyan” on April 9. Folk art promotion programmes under “Lokakala Paain Dinatie” will be held on April 10.
The Odisha Sahitya Akademi will host the “Amrutapidhi Samaroh” on April 11. On April 12, the “Bandaneeya Baraputra” programme will include tributes to eminent Odias and student competitions.
Traditional cuisine will take centre stage on April 13 under “Ama Ruchi Ama Khadya Divas”, while the concluding day on April 14 will mark the Odia New Year and valedictory function at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, along with prize distribution and cultural events. Pana will be distributed on the occasion of Pana Sankranti.
The Chief Secretary also suggested organising a special programme on “Odia Language and Information Technology” on April 14.
Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Chitra Arumugam and secretaries of various departments, attended the meeting.
