Visakhapatnam :

The Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a socio-cultural organization of people from Odisha, organized Utkal Divas celebrations here on Tuesday on the occasion of the 79th formation day of Odisha.

Portraits of freedom fighters Utkalmani Gopabandhu Dash and Utkal Gauraba Madhusudan Dash were garlanded. Both Gopabandhu and Madhusudan fought against the British to achieve freedom, said vice- president of the samaj Arun Das. Odisha was the first state to be carved out in India on the basis of language, according to a press release issued by the samaj.

As part of the celebrations, an Odia food festival was inaugurated by J K Nayak, president of the samaj. Exclusive Odia delicacies like sijha manda, chana manda, karkara, gulgula, poda pitha, chhena poda and others were on offer for the foodies. A cultural programme was also arranged in which dance and drama shows were performed by Mamini Kala Parishad from Cuttack.

Commissioner of customs, Visakhapatnam, C Rajendiran and chairman and managing director of the Dredging Corporation of India Limited Captain D K Mohanty were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / April 02nd, 2014