Bhubaneswar: April 3: The BJP administration has declared a two-week ‘Odia Paksha’ celebration from April 1 to April 14, coinciding with the Odia New Year, to demonstrate its dedication to Odia pride. This period would feature celebrations of Odia culture, heritage, cuisine, textiles, and other facets.
People of Odisha shall wear traditional Odia ethnic wear on April 3, as part of the 14-day long celebration of the heritage of Odisha ‘Odia Pakhya 2025’ which started from April 1, said State’s Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
On Thursday, the third day of the Odia Pakhya, the state department of handlooms, textiles, and handicrafts will host the “Ama Poshak, Ama Parichaya” (Odia Ethnic Wear Day) program.
“Our traditional clothes are our pride and our identity,” Chief Minister Majhi remarked in a special statement. The handlooms of Odisha are well-known globally. Our sarees and handlooms from Kotpad, Maniabandh, Sambalpuri, Sonpuri, Bomkai, Khordha Lungi, Gamuchha, etc., are famous both within and outside of the state’.
“On the occasion of the celebration of Odia Pakhya, let us make it a habit to wear handloom clothes. Not just for today, wear the handloom clothes every day and strengthen our weavers and rural economy and be a part of building a prosperous Odisha,” said the Chief Minister.
The Odisha Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department has issued a letter to all state department heads and district collectors, urging them to promote the wearing of Odia handloom clothing by all government officials, employees, and citizens on April 3.
