Bhubaneswar [Odisha]: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced that ‘Odia Pakhya’ (Odia Fortnight) will be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony from April 1 (Odisha Day) to April 14 (Odia New Year).
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), CM Majhi emphasized that the celebration would honor Odia identity, literature, culture, tradition, dance, and music.
ଚଳିତ ବର୍ଷ ପ୍ରଥମ ଥର ପାଇଁ ଏପ୍ରିଲ ମାସ ୧ ତାରିଖ #ଓଡ଼ିଶାଦିବସ ଠାରୁ ୧୪ ଏପ୍ରିଲ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ନବବର୍ଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମହା ଆଡ଼ମ୍ବରର ସହ "ଓଡ଼ିଆ ପକ୍ଷ' ପାଳନ କରାଯିବ। ଏହା ହେବ ଆମ ମହାନ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅସ୍ମିତା, ସାହିତ୍ୟ, ସଂସ୍କୃତି, ପରମ୍ପରା, ନୃତ୍ୟ ଓ ସଙ୍ଗୀତର ଉତ୍ସବ। ଆସନ୍ତୁ ମନ, ପ୍ରାଣ ତଥା ହୃଦୟରୁ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ହେବା। ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନୀ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବେ… pic.twitter.com/v541qIptsp
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) April 1, 2025
🗣️ CM Majhi’s Message on X:
“This year, for the first time, ‘Odia Pakhya’ will be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony from April 1st, Odisha Day, to April 14th, Odia New Year. This will be a celebration of our great Odia identity, literature, culture, tradition, dance, and music. Let us celebrate Odisha with our minds, souls, and hearts. Let us all unite and join this celebration as proud Odias. Jai Jagannath!”
Tributes on Odisha Day (Utkal Divas)
Earlier today, CM Majhi extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Odisha on Utkal Divas, the day marking the formation of Odisha as a separate state in 1936. He paid tribute to great leaders who fought for Odisha’s linguistic identity and urged citizens to work towards a prosperous and developed Odisha.
🔹 CM Majhi’s Tribute:
“A humble tribute to the great men who made immense sacrifices for the formation of a separate Odisha state and enhanced the glory of our language, literature, and culture. On this day, let us further strengthen our resolve to build a healthy and developed Odisha.”
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Tribute
Union Minister of Education and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan also extended his greetings on Odisha Day, saluting the sacrifices made for Odia identity and culture.
🗣️ Pradhan’s Message:
“Heartiest greetings on ‘Odisha Day’ to my brothers and sisters of Odisha and the Odia community who spread Odia culture and heritage in every corner of the world. On this day in 1936, Odisha gained the honor of being the first independent province on the basis of language. My salute to all the great men who fought and sacrificed for giving due recognition to Odia identity, Odia pride, and Odia culture.”
Odisha Day (Utkal Divas) Significance
📌 Date: April 1, 1936
📌 Why is it celebrated? Odisha became India’s first linguistically organized state, separated from Bihar and Bengal.
📌 How is it celebrated?
✔️ Cultural programs showcasing Odia heritage
✔️ Tributes to Odia freedom fighters
✔️ Competitions, exhibitions, and public gatherings
With the announcement of Odia Pakhya, Odisha gears up for two weeks of grand celebrations leading to the Odia New Year on April 14.