Pottangi: The district administration Tuesday celebrated the 90th Odisha Day (Utkal Divas) in the disputed Kotia panchayat area of Koraput district, reaffirming the state’s linguistic and cultural identity among border residents.
The event was held in front of the Kotia panchayat office, a region at the centre of an ongoing inter-state boundary dispute. Marking the occasion, the district information and public relations department organised a special photo exhibition highlighting Odisha’s heritage and development. Among those present were local MLA and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam, Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha, zilla parishad chairperson Sasmita Melka, Sunabeda NAC chairman Rajendra Patra, former MP Jayaram Pangi and former MLA Prafulla Pangi. District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan presided over the programme. The dignitaries visited the exhibition and interacted with attendees, with many capturing moments at the display.
Addressing the gathering later, speakers underlined the historical significance of April 1, 1936, when Odisha was formed as a separate state on a linguistic basis, giving a distinct identity to Odia-speaking people. They also sought to create awareness among Kotia’s border residents about the importance of preserving their linguistic and cultural heritage. In a notable segment of the programme, educated women from the panchayat conveyed messages about Odisha’s formation in the regional Kui language, promoting harmony with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The celebration also featured cultural performances by students from various schools, adding vibrancy to the event. Pottangi block chairperson Kalpana Pangi, zilla parishad member Tikai Gemel, additional district magistrate Naresh Chandra Sabar, CDO Benudhar Sabar, retired collector and ‘Ama Kotia’ convenor Gadadhar Parida, and other officials attended the event. The programme was coordinated by BDO Ramakrishna Nayak, tehsildar Debendra Bahadur Singh Dharua, additional tehsildar Swagatika Rout and other administrative officials, who ensured its smooth conduct.
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