Dhenkanal: Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM) marked the auspicious occasion of Odia New Year and Maha Bisuba Sankranti (MBS) with a grand celebration, bringing together students, villagers, and women to honour the rich cultural heritage of Odisha at Kusupanga village in Odapada block of Dhenkanal district.
The event, coordinated by Tata Steel Foundation, featured weeklong activities involving more than 300 participants from 28 panchayats of the Odapada block and schools around the plant of TSM. The participants showcased their talents in song, dance, and elocution competitions that aimed to foster unity and pride in Odisha’s cultural history and traditions among the children.
Additional District Magistrate of Dhenkanal, Uday Kumar Mohapatra, attended it as the Chief Guest, with renowned Odia Novelist and Poet Hiranmayee Mishra as the Chief Speaker. Executives from Tata Steel Meramandali Vidya Prasad, Chief of DRI, and Subhransu Sekhar Panda, Head of Corporate Communications, TSK & TSM, also joined the program.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Mohapatra emphasized the importance of raising awareness about cultural beliefs and traditions to preserve and promote Odia culture, while mitigating the impact of Western influence.
Dr. Mishra discussed the cultural significance of the Odia New Year, its connection to nature and religious beliefs, and encouraged students to respect and promote their language and cultural identity.
The winners of the competitions were awarded by the dignitaries. The function concluded with cultural programmes by the children.