Rourkela: Today, on April 1st, 2024, the Institute celebrated the significant occasion of the State’s Foundation Day at B.B. Auditorium, NIT Rourkela starting from 5:00 pm. The Utkal Dibasa Celebration Committee, NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with the Odia Sahitya Samaj (OSS) Club (Student Activity Centre, NITR), organized a program to honor the essence of Utkal Dibasa. Dr. Subrat Kumar Prusty, Member Secretary of the Institute of Odia Studies and Research, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, graced the event as the Chief Guest, delivering a keynote speech titled “Utkala Dibasa Resolution: Technical Education in Mother Tongue.”
The ceremony commenced with Pushpanjali to Lord Jagannath and Shraddhanjali Arpan to all the leaders instrumental in the establishment of a separate Odisha Province in 1936, followed by rendition of the state song ‘Bande Utkala Janani.’ Prof. R.K. Biswal, the program coordinator, emphasized the significance of the state, stating, “Our roots, identity, and progress are deeply intertwined with our parents, land, and native language.”
Offering greetings to the audience, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director of NIT Rourkela, expressed pride in Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and urged the youth to innovate and contribute to societal development, envisioning Odisha as a startup hub.
Prof. Sidhartha S. Jena (Dean, Student Affairs), Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar), and Prof. Rajeev Kumar Panda (President, Student Activity Centre) also shared their thoughts. The event featured the unveiling of the second edition of the “SAMPOORNA” magazine by the student club Odia Sahitya Samaja.
Chief Guest, Dr. Subrat Kumar Prusty, delivered an insightful presentation on “Utkala Dibasa Resolution: Technical Education in Mother Tongue,” discussing the evolution of Odia education and civilization, from ancient stone inscriptions to modern education systems.
Over 500 attendees, including regional school children who participated in various competitions organized by the OSS Club, enjoyed cultural performances, an exhibition showcasing Odisha’s history, culture, and heritage, and concluded with felicitations to the guests and a vote of thanks by Smt. Swagatika Sahoo, Secretary, and Co-Coordinator, Utkal Dibasa Celebration Committee.
