Association Of Odia Expats Celebrates Annual Day In Dammam Of Saudi Arabia

Bhubaneswar: More than 350 families of Odia diaspora residing across Saudi Arabia participated in the 5th annual day function of the Odisha Association of Saudi Arabia, Kalingan (KSA) in Dammam recently.

The event started with singing of National Anthem which was followed by Mangalacharana and various cultural programmes. The participants were also served lip smacking Odia cuisine.

Odisha’s dance, music, Daskathia, handicrafts, fashion and food were showcased by the participants. The cultural programmes included performance by men, women and children on Odia, Sambalpuri and Bollywood songs.

Renowned industrialist of Odisha Dr Dev Mohanty joined the occasion as chief guest. Ollywood superstar Sabyasachi Mishra, popular singer Bibhu Kishore and singing sensation Susmita Das also attended the event.

The coordinators of the programme, Santosh Das and Jyotirmoy Dash, said their objective is to spread the magic of Odia culture in Saudi Arabia and strengthen the bondage among the Odias living in foreign land, far from their home state.

They also hoped that their effort would contribute to enhance global interest in Odisha and ultimately contribute towards development of the state.