Paperman Media ( Bhubaneswar )- The 78th Capital Foundation Day of Bhubaneswar was celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur today.
On this occasion, the Hon’ble Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Smt. Surama Padhy, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Among others present were Bhubaneswar Member of Parliament Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, MLAs Shri Ananta Narayan Jena (Bhubaneswar Central) and Shri Sushant Kumar Rout (Bhubaneswar North), Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Smt. Sulochana Das, former Minister Shri Suresh Kumar Routray, Deputy Mayor Smt. Manjulata Kanhara, Commissioner of Police (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack) Shri S. Dev Datta Singh, BMC Commissioner Shri Chanchal Rana, Additional Commissioners Shri Kailash Das and Shri Ratnakar Sahu, Additional District Magistrate Shri Ramesh Chandra Jena, Sub-Collector Dr. Manoranjan Sahu, corporators and several other dignitaries.
Torch Rally and Ceremonial Events
A ceremonial torch rally was flagged off from Lingaraj Temple and passed through Bada Danda, Mausima Square, Shishu Bhavan Square, Raj Mahal, Master Canteen, and culminated at PMG Square. The rally was led by Olympian Dutee Chand along with other eminent personalities.
The event was jointly organized by the Department of Information & Public Relations, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, and the Capital Foundation Day Celebration Committee.
The dignitaries paid floral tributes at the Capital Foundation Stone Plaque near the Assembly premises. The Chief Guest hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the civil combined parade.
Parade and Competitions
A total of 51 contingents participated in the parade.
College Category:
1st: BJB Autonomous College
2nd: Sainik School
3rd: Rajdhani College
High School (English Medium):
1st: DAV Unit-8
2nd: DAV Pokhariput & DAV Chandrasekharpur (Joint)
3rd: ODM Public School & Venkateswar English Medium School (Joint)
High School (Odia Medium):
1st: Govt. High School, IRC Village
2nd: Govt. High School, Unit-6
3rd: Capital High School & Girls’ Wing of Govt. High School, IRC Village (Joint)
Special awards were presented to the Girls’ Wing of Capital High School, Maharshi College of Natural Law Dare Devils, and Odisha Skating Academy. Additionally, the CRPF Band, 7th Battalion OSAP, and Sainik School Band were also awarded.
Historical Significance and Development
Bhubaneswar was established as the capital of Odisha on April 13, 1948, when the foundation stone was unveiled by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Originally planned for a population of around 40,000, the city has now expanded to accommodate over 1.5 million residents.
Today, Bhubaneswar stands as one of the leading capitals in the country in terms of education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Mayor Smt. Sulochana Das called upon citizens to preserve the city’s rich heritage while working collectively towards making it cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.
Call for Collective Responsibility
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Smt. Surama Padhy emphasized that the capital city represents the identity of the state and is the first point of contact for visitors arriving by air or rail. She urged citizens to contribute actively towards enhancing the dignity and development of Bhubaneswar. She also shared her personal connection with the city from childhood to the present.
Other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the need for collective efforts in further developing the capital.
Photo Exhibition on Bhubaneswar’s Growth
A special photo exhibition was organized at Jayadev Bhawan by the Department of Information & Public Relations. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest.
The exhibition showcases Bhubaneswar’s heritage, art, architecture, political history, social transformation, spiritual landscape, and its journey towards becoming a Smart City.
The exhibition is being conducted under the supervision of Exhibition Officer Shri Deepak Kumar Sahu, with the presence of senior departmental officials including Director Shri Anuj Kumar Das Pattnaik, Deputy Directors, and other officers.
The two-day exhibition will remain open to visitors till tomorrow (Tuesday).
