Raja Festival Celebrated in Delang: Books by Eminent Children’s Author Fakir Charan Padhi Unveiled
Delang, 14/06/2023: On the occasion of the first day of Odisha’s popular festival “Raja,” the second annual Raja Festival was joyously celebrated on Wednesday morning at the premises of Gadamotari Bishwanathdev Nodal High School under the Delang block. The event was organized with the support of the Delang Children’s Literary Forum.
Aimed at reviving the vanishing traditions and culture among the new generation, the Raja Festival featured a range of vibrant cultural activities such as dance, music, poetry recitation, traditional games like ‘Puchi’, applying ‘Alta’ (red dye on feet), rangoli, mehendi, an assortment of delicious traditional sweets and pithas, ‘Raja Paan’, traditional swings, and group performances of music and dance.
The event was conducted under the supervision of its main patron, Gopal Chandra Mahapatra. Gandhian thinker and Vice President of the District Utkal Sammilani, Anama Mallik, attended as the chief guest and inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp near the idol of Lord Jagannath.
Organized by poetess and editor of the Delang Children’s Literary Forum, Lakshmipriya Dash, the program was presided over by children’s writer Prashant Kumar Mangaraj. Educationist and founder of the Shyamsundar Library in Delang Station Bazaar, as well as a noted writer, Kashinath Mahapatra, attended as the keynote speaker. He praised the unique efforts of the Delang Children’s Literary Forum in preserving culture and tradition.
Among the other honored guests were senior journalist Prasanna Tripathy, environmentalist and lawyer Hrusikesh Padhi, teacher Parshuram Jena, senior journalists Santosh Kumar Pattnaik, Dillip Kumar Dhaudia, and Rashmiranjan Pradhan, who all shared their thoughts on the importance of celebrating Raja.
Cultural enthusiast and teacher Abhaya Charan Sahu introduced the guests and also conducted the event.
On this occasion, two books written by Fakir Charan Padhi titled “Tushar Manav” and “Danara Mahatva” were unveiled by the guests.
Girl students who excelled in the competitions such as ‘Puchi’ game, Alta application, Rangoli, and Mehendi were awarded by the organizers.
Headmaster of Barakera Government Upper Primary School, Pradip Kumar Sethi, teacher Dillip Kumar Behera, and student Sitanhi Pattayojoshi, among others, contributed to the smooth conduct of the program. As a token of appreciation, the patron of the event, educationist Gopal Chandra Mahapatra, extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
