Bhubaneswar: Utkala Dibasa or Utkal Divas is celebrated on 1st April every year commemorating the formation of Odisha as a separate State out of Bihar and Orissa Province with addition of Koraput District and Ganjam District from the Madras Presidency on 1 April 1936.
On Saturday, Utkal Divas will be celebrated all across the State, to mark the 88th Foundation Day of Odisha.
People of Odisha celebrate Utkal Divas to remember the struggle in gaining a separate political identity and to encourage the spirit of unity. The state celebrates Odisha day as a restricted holiday and it is also known as Vishuva Milan.
In ancient history, Odisha has been known by different names like Kalinga, Utakal, Udra, Toshali and Kosala. The state got its new name from the Odra tribe that lived in the central region of Odisha.
The state was originally called Orissa but it was renamed after the Lok Sabha passed the Orissa Bill, and Constitution Bill in March 2011.
According to historians, Odisha was ruled by different dynasties during different periods. It became the core of the famous Kalinga Kingdom as Magadh king Ashoka invaded it in 261 BC to enlarge his Mauryan rule.
The state flourished for almost a century under the rule of the famous Mauryan Dynasty. After Mauryan’s rule, King Kharavela began to rule Odisha as he managed to avenge the Mauryan invasion by defeating Magadh.
In 1576, Odisha fell to the Mughal Empire and several parts of the coastal region were taken over by the Marathas in the mid of 17th century. After the Carnatic wars, the southern coast of Odissa was consolidated with the Madras Presidency by the East India Company. In 1912, Bihar and Orissa became separate provinces.
Modern-day Orissa was formed as a province for the people speaking Oriya in 1936. Sir John Hubbak was named the first governor of the state. Notable leaders like Utkala Gouraba, Madhusudan Das, Utkala Mani, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Pandita Nilakantha Das fought for the movement to achieve an independent identity for the state.
Government buildings are illuminated on this day and there is a celebratory mood all across the State. Different types of competitions are organised by the State Government in districts and at State-level to engage students and educate people of the glory of Odisha.
