Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the National Flag Plaza at Mahatma Gandhi Park near Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Spanning 5600 square metre, the plaza features a towering mast carrying the National Flag at a height of 100 feet. A tribute to the National Flag, it serves as a reminder of the historical struggles surrounding the birth of the flag, highlighting key figures pivotal to its evolution.
Sandstone panels adorned with stainless steel plates display UV-printed flags from 1907 to 1947, alongside portraits of national and local heroes of the freedom movement. Inscriptions of “Jai Hind” in 22 official languages as well as renditions of the national anthem in Hindi and Odia adorn these panels.
The concept for the flag plaza originated from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the Bhubaneswar Urban Knowledge Centre (BUKC) of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) executing it jointly. The BDA will be responsible for the maintenance and management of the flag plaza.
The plaza also offers amenities such as a children’s play area and recreational mounds, catering to individuals of all age groups without disrupting the park’s existing greenery. It features a water fountain and audio sound system to play patriotic songs.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA Ananata Narayan Jena, MLA (North) Susant Kumar Rout, Mayor Sulochana Das, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, BDA Chairman G Mathivathanan, Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda, BDA VC Balwant Singh and other officials of OMC were present on the occasion.
