State observes Utkal Divas

BHUBANESWAR: In order to mark the 77th foundation day of the formation of Odisha as a separate province, various political parties and organisations along with educational institutions observed the Utkal Divas across the State on Tuesday.

On the occasion of Utkal Divas, the State Government organised a photo exhibition and a laser show at the Exhibition Ground to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices made by eminent leaders of the State who were the mastermind behind the formation of a politically separate state on linguistic basis on April 1, 1936.

Utkal Sammilani, which had played a major role in the formation of modern Odisha on linguistic basis during the British era, observed the day by garlanding on Madhusudan Das statute in front of Raj Bhavan here. Similarly, Pradesh Congress Committee observed the day by garlanding on the statues of great personalities and commemorated their contributions in formation of the State.

Odisha Jan Morcha also observed the day and organised a meeting to pay tribute to the great men behind the special State. OJM general secretary Jagyenswar Babu urged the State Government to direct all the Government offices of the State to use Odia as administrative language.

All the major government buildings in the State capital on Monday wore a glittering look. The buildings include the Assembly, Secretariat, Jayadev Bhawan, Rabindra Mandap, NALCO, RBI and Railway headquarters have been decked up in colourful lights.