Beach festival at Gopalpur-on-sea begins

RONALISA PARIDA

BRAHMAPUR: The famous Gopalpur Beach Festival at Gopalpur-on-Sea, 24 km from here, has begun on Monday. The five-day long cultural extravaganza was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“In order to develop the tourism and infrastructure of the State, the kind of festivals are welcomed. As Ganjam has a glorious history of various folk arts and literature and the land has given great poets like Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja and Kavi Surya Baldev Ratha to the State, the beach festival will promote its culture throughout the world,” said Patnaik in his inaugurating speech.

Giving a lucid idea of developing the Gopalpur sea beach, he said that plans would be worked out under the Integrated Coastal Zone Development and new economic projects would be implemented soon with the expenditure of Rs 4 crore for the wellbeing of the fishermen communities living in the area.

“People involved in saving the Olive Ridleys at the time of breeding, alternative livelihoods will be provided to them, Patnaik said, adding, “As many as 200 Self Help Groups will be appointed for the purpose.”

In order to stop the erosion of the sea, Patnaik stated, plans are made and scientific groups are assigned to study the situation. The report of the study would be submitted within April 2013, he mentioned.

The Cultural extravaganza began with the Odishi performance of Dona Ganguly. The cultural part including Jodi Sankha, Ranapa Dance, Ghanta Murdanga, Kathak Fusion Dance and animal mask dance were performed by the artists. The Chhau Dance of Mayurbhanj was one of the attractions in the evening.

On the first day of the festival, 180 stalls were opened at the Pallisri Mela where Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society, District Industries Centre, District Supply and Marketing Society, Horticulture and Agriculture Department have opened number of stalls to show their products in the festival.

Among others, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patro, Rural Development and Cooperation Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, Brahmapur MLA RCC Patnaik, Chatrapur MLA Adikanda Sethy, Gopalpur MLA Praddep Panigrahi and BJD party members were present at the opening session of the festival.