Bhubaneswar: A preparatory meeting was held in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) ahead of the upcoming State-level Republic Day 2026 celebrations. Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma presided over the meeting and stressed that Republic Day is a symbol of pride, honor, and emotion for all citizens.
Sharma informed that the main ceremony, to be held at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, will have His Excellency, the Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, as the chief guest. He urged officials to ensure the event is conducted in a well-structured, modern, and attractive manner.
During the meeting, discussions were held on key arrangements including the parade, decorations, seating for dignitaries, security, punctuality, and coordination among various departments. Officials also deliberated on creating a sense of patriotism by broadcasting the morning ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’ (Ram Dhun) through public announcement systems at parks, bus stands, and other public areas in Bhubaneswar.
Arrangements for the flag-hoisting site, live telecast through TV and social media, venue decoration, and publicity boards were reviewed. It was decided to enhance financial resources to make Republic Day celebrations at district and sub-division levels more attractive and well-organised. Instructions were also issued to illuminate government offices, public sector organisations, and major buildings, with all preparations to be completed within the prescribed timeframe.
The meeting was attended by senior DIPR officials, including Director Anuj Kumar Das Pattanaik, Additional Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Behuria, Director (Technical) Gurbir Singh, and Deputy Director Sucheta Priyadarshini.
