Mohatsav Chaiti inaugurated: Chaiti festival brings life to the soil, water and land of the tribals: Minister Gokulananda, Songs of Ananya Nanda enthralled audience
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, December 27: Rayagada district Lok Mohatsav Chaiti was inaugurated ast Friday with much pomp and show at the local Govinda Chandra Deb(GCD) High School grounds. Under the supervision of District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni, Rayagada presiding deity Maa Majighariani and the Lord of the Universe Shri Jagannath, accompanied by a procession of Kalas, garlands and mashals, were taken out by thousands of people adorned by traditional folk dances and cultural music. After completing the Nagar Parikrama, the jamboree reached the GCD grounds Chaiti Mandap. Maa Majighariani was then worshipped on the stage along with the Chaturdha idols.
Odisha Fisheries & Animal Husbandry & MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallick was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Rayagada MLA Kadraka Appalaswamy, Bissm Cuttack MLA Nilamadhab Hikaka and Gunapur MLA Satyajit Gamang and Rayagada Additional District Magistrate Naveen Chandra Nayak attended as guests of honor. The chief guest first inaugurated the Chaiti and Pallishri Mela by visiting all the stalls and then joined the Chaiti stage. After lighting the lamp by the guests present, the program started with chanting of Vande Mataram. District Magistrate Shri Kulkarni felicitated all the guests with bouquet of flowers and Dangaria Shawls and Soura Idital paintings as mementos. He also delivered his welcome speech. This year Chaiti has brought ecstasy to everyone. He requested all the people of the district to visit and enjoy the Indigenous/Swadeshi Mela and Pallishri Mela.
Gunapur MLA Gamang expressed that everyone should work together for the development of the district. Bismakattak MLA Hikaka said that the district is a tourist destination. He said that if Debagiri, Paikopada, Kumudabali, and Minjhola are developed, the tourism sector of the district will improve. Similarly, Rayagada MLA Kadraka said that this platform will eulogise about our land, water, forest. He expressed the need for the government to pay attention to the farmers and the drinking water of the district residents. He appealed to make good use of all the rivers flowing through the district. He also requested for a day bound train to Bhubaneswar & a medical college in the district.
Minister talked about irrigation, forest protection, good use of land, animal and human development. Rayagada district has been given priority in the 2036 Vikashit/Developed Odisha goal and a 6-lane road from Jeypore to Gopalpur has been proposed under PM Gati Shakti, which will make the district a major development hub in the fields of tourism, education, health, and trade. Similarly, a DPR has been prepared for the construction of 400 roads in rural areas under the PMGSY. South Odisha Development Council will emphasize the development of the district as a priority. Chaiti has become a festival of water, wind and life of the tribal land. This festival is a combination of culture and tradition. He appealed all to work together to keep the enthusiasm alive. The chief guest and the guests of honor unveiled the Chaitali 2025 souvenir and honored T. Ramu in the field of agriculture, Kavisurya Nayak in the field of sports, Junesh Gamang in the field of folk art, Pawan Kumar Bachha in the field of education, and Suchita Panda in the field of SHG. On the other hand, successful players in the field of sports were also honored. Finally, Additional District Magistrate Naveen Chandra Nayak proposed the vote of thanks. The audience thoroughly enjoyed Odissi dance, traditional folk dance of Dangaria Kandha and enchanting songs of Ananya Nanda.
