President, PM greet Odisha people on Utkal Dibasa

Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of Utkala Dibasa.

Utkal Dibasa is celebrated to mark the formation of the then Orissa, now Odisha, state on a linguistic basis in 1936.

Kovind wished for Odisha’s bright future and prosperity.

 “Utkala Dibasa greetings to my sisters and brothers of Odisha. Praying for Odisha’s constant progress and prosperity in the times to come,” tweeted Modi.

“Extend greetings to my sisters and brothers of Odisha on Utkala Dibasa. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, peace and prosperity,” said Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet.

Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and several other leaders from Odisha wished the people on this occasion.

Prof Lal asked the people to pledge to transform Odisha into a prosperous and developed state and participate in the fight against coronavirus outbreak.

The Chief Minister paid tribute to the legendary leaders who fulfilled the dream of formation of a separate Odisha state.

“On the occasion of Odisha Dibasa, I extend my wishes to all and pay tribute to legendary leaders who fulfilled the dream of formation of separate Odisha province. I pay my respect to those who’ve contributed in development of Odia language, literature and culture,” said Patnaik.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also wished the people on the occasion of Utkal Dibasa.

Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand art at Puri beach wishing the people on the formation day of Odisha.

Meanwhile, the state government has decided not to organise any function on the occasion due to lockdown to combat coronavirus outbreak.