Bhubaneswar: On the concluding day of the 14-day ‘Odia Pakshya’ celebrations which also marked Maha Bishuba Sankranti and the Odia New Year, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged people to make Odia language, literature and culture an integral part of everyday life, describing the initiative as the beginning of a broader cultural awakening.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Odia Pakhya 2026 held at OUAT Agricultural Education Hall, the Chief Minister emphasised that the linguistic and cultural identity of Odisha should not be confined to a 14-day observance but it should be embraced as a continuous way of life. He described the initiative as not just a festival but a reaffirmation of identity and the beginning of a broader cultural awakening.
Highlighting the deeper significance of the initiative, Majhi said economic growth alone cannot define progress without a strong cultural foundation. He recalled the historic efforts to preserve the Odia language and noted that contributions from literary figures such as Gangadhar Meher, Radhanath Ray, Madhusudan Rao, and Fakir Mohan Senapati continue to shape the state’s cultural identity.
The 14-day celebration, which began on Utkal Divas, witnessed a series of initiatives aimed at reconnecting people with Odia heritage. Campaigns promoting traditional handloom, school enrolment drives, and the use of Odia signboards in commercial spaces were among the key efforts that gained widespread participation.
Officials said the programme also included distribution of over 18,000 educational books, a record blood donation drive, and cultural events such as a folk art roadshow in Pipili. The growing recognition of traditional food practices like Pakhala and the promotion of folk arts were highlighted as indicators of renewed cultural pride.
In a significant push to institutional support, the state has allocated ₹614 crore in the current budget for the development of Odia language, literature, and culture. Plans are underway to establish a Chhau Academy and develop birthplaces of eminent personalities into cultural tourism centres.
The government also announced measures to strengthen the use of Odia in official work and make its teaching mandatory in schools, aligning with long-term development goals under Vision 2036 and 2047.
Meanwhile, efforts to take Odia culture to global platforms received a boost with the appointment of celebrity chef Ranveer Brar as brand ambassador for Odia cuisine. The initiative aims to promote traditional culinary practices internationally while preserving their cultural roots.
Senior ministers and officials present at the event described the initiative as a turning point in reconnecting people with Odisha’s cultural traditions, noting that the programme has gained recognition as a statewide people’s festival
