Paradip, Jan 13: The 1st Paradip Banijya Mela starting on 4th of this month has been over on Wednesday night with Minister Dr Damodar Rout as the Chief Guest in the valedictory function. He in his speech told that such Melas will help Odisha develop and this Mela should take the shape of Winter Festival in a much bigger form from next year. Dr Kulamoni Samal, MP, Sarat K Sahu, MD, Ruchi were the Guests of Honour. The meeting was presided over by Basant Biswal, Chairman, Paradip Municipality & President, Banijya Mela who declared that this Mela has been successful more than expected. Deba Prasad Das, the secretary of the Mela welcomed the guests and informed the there were 108 sales unit in the Mela and the next year it will be double the size. Rabi Swain, the story writer was given the Ruchi Prativa Samman by the Chief Guest. Every evening there were entertainment programme for the visitors. The sea beach was full of people for the occasion.
