Utkal Divas celebrated at SOA

Bhubaneswar: Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) observed the 89th Utkal Divas on Monday, commemorating Odisha’s statehood on April 1, 1936.

Led by vice-chancellor Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda, the university community paid tributes to key figures behind Odisha’s statehood, including Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das, Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Vyasakavi Fakir Mohan Senapati, poet Gangdhar Meher and Dr Harekrushna Mahatab.

Prof Nanda stressed the responsibility to propel Odisha towards development by 2036. He highlighted the contributions of Odias across various fields.

Faculty members, including Prof Sitikantha Mishra, Prof Manjula Das, Prof Manas Kumar Mallick, Prof Santosh Kumar Rout, Prof Brahmadev Pattnaik, Prof Susant Kumar Chaini, Prof Jyoti Ranjan Das, Prof Debajyoti Das, Prof Renu Sharma, along with other officials shared insights during discussions on Odisha’s progress.

The university announced to organise essay and debate competitions ahead of ‘Utkal Divas’ next year to promote the Odia language among students.