Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the people of Odisha on the eve of Nuakhai.
In a video message, Naveen on Wednesday greeted people with ‘Nuakhai Juhar. “May Maa Samaleswari’s blessings be with you always. I pray for happiness, prosperity, and well-being of all,” he said.
Nuakhai, the vibrant agrarian festival celebrated predominantly in the western districts of the state, falls on August 28. The celebrations begin with priests offering newly-harvested paddy to Goddess Samaleswari in Sambalpur in the morning. Heads of families also perform similar offerings at home. Dressed in their best attire, people also perform Rasarkeli and Dalkhai dances to the tunes of popular Sambalpuri songs.
The Mohan Majhi government has also declared August 29 as a public holiday to allow citizens—many of whom travel home for the occasion—to return to their workplaces comfortably. Majhi also disbursed Rs 1,041 crore under the CM-Kisan scheme for the 2025–26 Rabi season, benefiting over 51 lakh farmer families in the state.
