Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati unfurled the national flag at the state-level Republic Day celebration at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Odisha capital on Sunday.
“Celebrate the spirit of our nation and the pride of our constitution,” his office tweeted this morning.
Mahatma Gandhi Marg saw a vibrant display of patriotism, cultural heritage and progressive initiatives with 10 themed tableaus and cultural performances on the occasion. The tableaus offered a glimpse of the state’s growth story with themes ranging from rural development and women’s empowerment to advancements in education and technology.
A total of 49 contingents, including Odisha Police, BSF, OSAP and CRPF, participated in the parade. There was also a daredevil show on motorcycles by the students of Maharishi College of Natural Law and a skating performance by Odisha Skating Academy.
Besides gravity-defying stunts by daredevils motorcycle rider and the young skaters, traditional troupes like Ghoda, Dhemsa and Sambalpuri dance were a major attraction.
Several school and college students also captivated the audience with cultural performances, blending traditional and contemporary art forms. A colourful depiction of Kumbh Mela — the grand spiritual gathering — showing Aghori dance and Shiv Tandav was the other highlight of the show. Special performances by groups from the Santali community added a unique charm to the celebrations.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unfurled the tricolour at the district-level Republic Day celebration at Mini Stadium in Cuttack’s Bidanasi and took the salute during the parade.
“Let us all take a pledge on this auspicious day to build a ‘Developed India, Developed Odisha’,” he tweeted.
Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singhdeo and Pravati Parida attended the Republic Day functions in Puri and Khurda respectively.
Similarly, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari attended the programme in Sundargarh, Rabi Narayan Nayak in Sonepur, Nityanand Giond in Koraput, Krushna Chandra Patra in Jagatsinghpur, Prithviraj harichandan in Jajpur, Mukesh Mahaling in Rayagada, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in Gajapati, Krushna Chandra Mohapatra in Balasore, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia in Keonjhar, Suryavanshi Suraj in Nuapada, Pradip Bal Samant in Dhenkanal, Sampad Chandra Swain in Nayagarh and Gokulanand Mallik in Malkangiri.
In Kendrapada, Berhampur and Rourkela, the RDCs of respective zones were assigned the responsibility while the collectors unfurled the National Flag in the rest districts.
