New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar, Mar 14: Odisha Parba 2026 began on a vibrant note in Delhi, drawing huge crowds and widespread appreciation. The festival, organised by Odia Samaj, continues to bridge cultural gaps and has gained significant national and international recognition since its inception in 2017.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Delhi Government Education Minister Ashish Sood were present as guests of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Pradhan emphasised that Lord Jagannath forms the foundation of Odia identity, stating that the blessings of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath have helped Odias establish a distinct cultural identity across the globe. He highlighted that Odisha Parba provides a unique platform to celebrate and reaffirm the pride of Odia heritage.

This year’s celebrations hold special significance as they coincide with the 600th birth anniversary of Adikavi Sarala Das and the 200th anniversary of Satya Mahima Dharma. Minister Pradhan also paid tribute to national icons including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Veer Surendra Sai, Maa Ramadevi, and martyr Baji Rout, underscoring the event’s relevance.

Looking ahead, he noted that 2036 will mark the 100th anniversary of Odisha’s formation as a separate state, calling the next decade a period for commitment and resolve towards building a prosperous and developed Odisha in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The minister thanked Odia Samaj for organising the festival, now a national movement strengthening the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, and invited residents of Delhi and Non-Resident Odias to witness Odisha’s art, culture, and natural beauty through the celebrations.