Covid-19 Scare: cultural fiesta in Bhubaneswar’s Ekamra Haat cancelled

Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: The Ekamra Haat cultural fiesta in Bhubaneswar that is scheduled to be held from October 2 coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti will not be conducted due to the Covid-19 pandemic this year. Earlier, the state Odia Language & Culture Department had taken a decision in this regard. All the programmes were scheduled to be organised jointly by the Culture Department and Odisha Tourism. The cultural event is scheduled to be celebrated along with the inauguration of Ekamra Haat after renovation. Earlier, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra along with Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on September 4 had visited the Ekamra Haat and reviewed the progress of the renovation works like construction of stalls, food court, amphitheatre, kiosks, the exhibition shed, conference hall and visitors’ amenity arrangements. Mahapatra had also directed the officials to organise Odissi and several folk dances like Gotipua, Ghumura, Sambalpuri, Chhau, Chaiti, Danda Naata, Dalkhai, Ghoda Naacha along with tribal folk forms. Odissi songs would also be rendered by eminent artists from different parts of the state. Similarly, keeping in view the public safety and to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus, Megha Utsav in Malkangiri district has also been cancelled.