Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has finalized an exciting lineup of events to celebrate Bhubaneswar’s 77th Foundation Day on April 13 and 14.
A high-level meeting, chaired by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, was held on Wednesday at Lok Seva Bhavan here to discuss the preparations.
Established as Odisha’s capital on April 13, 1948, Bhubaneswar will mark its 77th anniversary this year. The celebrations will be aligned with the ongoing “Odia Paksha” (Odia Fortnight), which runs from April 1 to 14, featuring daily cultural performances. Notably, the celebration will include “A Day for Odia Cuisine” on April 13 and “Odia New Year” festivities on April 14.
In a break from tradition, this year’s Foundation Day celebrations will be compressed into two days due to the summer heat, instead of the usual three. The civic parade, a key feature of the event, will this time include college students rather than schoolchildren to safeguard against the heatwave. The parade will proceed from Rabindra Mandap to Jayadev Bhawan, accompanied by vibrant college contingents and bands.
The celebrations will kick off with floral tributes at the foundation stone near the Odisha Legislative Assembly, followed by flag-hoisting by the chief guest. Evening cultural programs will take place at Utkal Mandap on both days. Besides, a special photo exhibition showcasing Bhubaneswar’s heritage will be organized, and significant statues across the city will be cleaned and adorned with garlands.
This year’s celebrations are expected to be more vibrant, combining tradition with modern festivities, as the city commemorates its 77 years with pride and enthusiasm.
