‘Chhenapoda Diwas’ To Be Celebrated On April 11 In This Odisha District

Nayagarh: The district administration in Nayagarh has asked all the Odisha government offices to celebrate “World Chhenapoda Day” on April 11.

In a letter to all government offices in the district, Nayagarh Collector Rabindra Nath Sahu asked them to celebrate ‘Bishwa Chhenapoda Diwas’ on April 11 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sudarsan Sahoo, who is believed to have first prepared the cheese dessert.

The Collector has asked all the government offices in the district to cut ‘Chhenapoda’ at 11 am on April 11 in the presence of employees and common people.

The government offices have been asked to upload the photos of the celebration to the WhatsApp group ‘Team Nayagarh’.

It may be noted that Nayagarh district administration has applied for GI tag to ‘Chhenapoda’, a popular baked cheese dessert of Odisha.

The dignitaries visiting the state are often served Chhenapoda. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gifted the popular sweet dish to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee during her recent Odisha visit.

Born on April 11, 1931 at Satapatana under Daspalla block in Nayagarh district, Sudarshan had moved out of his village and set up a sweet stall in the heart of Nayagarh in 1947. Along with his father Bidyadhar Sahoo, he came up with the recipe of this great delicacy. Chhenapoda gained popularity and became a symbol of Odia culture and identity.