NIT Rourkela Celebrates Utkala Dibasa 2026
NIT Rourkela commemorated the Foundation Day of the State on April 1, 2026, with a grand celebration at the B.B. Auditorium on campus. The event was organised by the Utkal Dibasa Celebration Committee of the institute, in collaboration with the Students from Odia Sahitya Samaj (OSS) under the Student Activity Club at NIT Rourkela.
The event commenced with a Pushpanjali to Lord Jagannath and a Shraddhanjali Arpan to the leaders who played a crucial role in the establishment of Odisha as a separate province in 1936. This was followed by a rendition of the state song Bande Utkala Janani, performed by the students of the HeartBeats Student Club. The programme was followed by a welcome address by Deputy Registrar Dr. Swagatika Sahoo and an address by Programme Coordinator Prof. R.K. Biswal, briefing on the significance of celebrating 'Odisha Day'.
Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena (Principal, Rourkela College) graced the event as the Guest of Honour. Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao (Director), Prof. Niranjan Panda (Dean, Student Affairs), Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar), and Prof. Rajeev Kumar Panda (President, Student Activity Centre) also extended their best wishes on the occasion.
The fourth edition of 'SAMPOORNA', an Odia magazine published by the OSS Club, was also unveiled during the event.
The Odisha Day celebration featured a vibrant cultural segment showcasing the state’s rich heritage and artistic spirit. The event began with a soulful 'Mangala Charana' performance by Anushka Dash, setting a devotional tone. This was followed by an energetic 'Paika Akhada' presentation by artists from Khordha district, reflecting Odisha’s traditional martial art form. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Miss Rashmi Jena, an M. Tech student, performed 'Ama Gaan Ku' (a semi-classical Odia folk fusion dance). The program also included a 'Sambalpuri Dance' by the student club 'Nrityunjay'.
Over the past week, Utkala Dibasa 2026 was celebrated with a series of competitions, attracting the participation of students from schools and colleges. The event featured engaging contests, including the Jhoti Painting, Kalinga Quiz, Odia Creative Writing, Odia Spelling Bee, Drawing, Odia Poem Recitation, and Maths Quiz. OSS Club President Soubhagya Biswal and Vice President Prabhupada, along with the other student members of the club, coordinated the event. The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony for the winners of these competitions, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Nalini Nihar Nayak (SAS Officer, NITR). The programme was hosted by 2nd year students Pratyasha Sarangi and Anwesha Das.
