From providing Rs 10,000 to each artiste to online streaming and preparing a documentary to launching a dedicated website, here are the big plans of Odisha Govt for Dhanu Yatra 2025
From providing Rs 10,000 to each artiste to online streaming and preparing a documentary film to launching a dedicated website, the Odisha Government has finalized a very big plan for the upcoming Bargarh Dhanu Yatra 2025, informed Odia Language Literature & Culture Department Minister Suryabanshi Suraj today.
Bhubaneswar: From providing Rs 10,000 to each artiste to online streaming and preparing a documentary film to launching a dedicated website, the Odisha Government has finalized a very big plan for the upcoming Bargarh Dhanu Yatra 2025, informed Odia Language Literature & Culture Department Minister Suryabanshi Suraj today.
While addressing a press meet to inform about the plans of the State government for the Dhanu Yatra, Suryabanshi said, “The Bargarh Dhanu Yatra has its own identity not just in India alone but also across the world as it is being held on the largest open theatre and the 11-day annual yatra is unscripted. Therefore, it has its own specialty.”
“With the aim to help more tourists to know about the Dhanu Yatra, the State government has decided to exhibit it globally with dignity. We are very fortunate that this time the Dhanu Yatra is being held while the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held from January 8-10 and we will get a great opportunity to popularize it among the visitors,” he added.
The Minister said, “Following the direction of the Chief Minister, we have decided to provide a honorarium of Rs 10,000 each to the 150-170 artistes who will take part in the 2025 Dhanu Yatra so that they can spend it for their costumes and other necessary things. Even the artistes who were part of the Dhanu Yatra in the past and have attained either old age or are dead will also be felicitated.
He further said, “National School of Drama (NSD) has decided to open a campus in Odisha and as per our request they have decided to prepare a documentary on Bargarh Dhanu Yatra 2025. So that it can be used in the future. This apart, we have planned for the live streaming of the Dhanu Yatra in different cities.” “Arrangements also have been made for the real time recording of the Dhanu Yatra so that everyone gets to see each and every happening of the annual festival,” he added.
The Minister also said, “A team of specialists will be roped-in to do all the necessary works needed to bring the place the Dhanu Yatra on intangible heritage map of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).”
“The state government also raised the financial grants for the Dhanu Yatra at to Rs 1 crore from the existing Rs 10 lakh. It will be provided by the Odia Language Literature & Culture Department and the Tourism Department will also provide Rs 50 lakh,” he informed.
“The most important thing is that we are expecting for a gathering of over 30 lakh people and we are making elaborate arrangements for them including help-desk, restroom and public toilets,” Suryabanshi intimated.
Speaking about launching a dedicated website and mobile App he said, “The Cultural Department will launch a website- dhanujatra.com and a mobile application is also being prepared so that people can get to know more about the Dhanu Yatra, its geographical locations, direction, maps and all. Through these website and application one can view the Dhanu Yatra round the clock. The website will have some questionnaire about Dhanu Yatra which will be an interactive opportunity for the people.”
“As the entire yatra is based on Lord Krishna, we are inviting the public representatives of Mathura including MP Hema Malini and District Magistrate (DM) so that it will help has for popularizing the Dhanu Yatra further in the country. And we request the people of entire Odisha and residents of Bargarh to take part in the Dhanu Yatra and make it a grand event,” he requested.
Notably, the famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra is scheduled to begin on January 3 and will continue till January 13, 2025.
