Odisha CM Announces Plan To Set Up Chhau Dance Academy, Cultural Research Centre In Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced plans to set up a Chhau Academy and Cultural Research Centre in Mayurbhanj district in view of the popularity of the dance in the region.

This announcement was made by the CM at the inaugural ceremony of Mayurbhanj Utsav at Utkal Mandap in Bhubaneswar on Friday evening.

The Chief Minister paid tribute to Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo of Mayurbhanj on his 150th birth anniversary and acknowledged the significant contributions made by the royal family of Mayurbhanj during the British rule.

“Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo’s progressive vision transformed Mayurbhanj into one of the most advanced districts in the country during the British era. The SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, a beacon of medical excellence in eastern India, owes its storied legacy to the visionary Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo”, he said.

Majhi said that Bhanj royal family also contributed significantly to the establishment and functioning of Ravenshaw College. Besides, the renowned Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha, compiled by Gopal Chandra Praharaj, was made possible through the efforts of Maharaja Purnna Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj.

Considering the popularity of the Chhau dance in Mayurbhanj and the demand from people, the Chief Minister announced plans to establish a Chhau Dance Academy and Cultural Research Centre in the district.

Stating that Mayurbhanj is famous for its stunning natural beauty, rich art, culture, and heritage, which have earned national and international acclaim, the CM said te district’s lush green forests, including the Similipal National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, are home to various flora and fauna, including the rare white tiger. The district is also dotted with several small and big waterfalls, including Debkund, Bhimkund, Sitakund, and Kuchei, which are popular tourist destinations.

The temples of Goddess Kichakeshwari and Lord Jagannath in Baripada also attract devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad, he said.

In view of the district’s popularity as a tourist destination, the Chief Minister announced plans to develop the Budhabalanga River Front in Baripada at an investment of Rs 60 crore, modelled after the Sabarmati River Front in Gujarat.

Majhi said Mayurbhanj is also famous for its unique tribal heritage, which sets it apart from others. He highlighted Pandit Raghunath Murmu’s significant contribution to the Santali language and literature, which is unforgettable.

Majhi also mentioned that the new government has decided to introduce Santali language education in the state, following the implementation of the new education policy.

The Chief Minister stated that the government is continuously working to provide basic amenities like education, health, infrastructure, and transportation to the people of Mayurbhanj district. In December, the President laid the foundation stone for three railway projects worth Rs 6294 crore in the district.

Asserting that the state government is working to make each district an industrial hub, the CM said that an agreement has been signed with GM Iron and Steel Company for an iron plant in Mayurbhanj, and another agreement signed with IMFA for an ethanol project. Majhi expressed confidence that more industries will come to the district in the future, creating more employment opportunities and strengthening the economy of Mayurbhanj.