Bhubaneswar: The weekly ‘Patha Utsav’ held in the city today showcased Paika culture with the Odisha Culture Department organizing several song and dance programmes reliving the ‘Paika Rebellion’. Braveheart Paikas from Khurda presented a ‘Paika Akhada’ or ‘warrior gymnasium’ on this occasion.
The stretch of Janpath from Master Canteen square to Ram Mandir square witnessed a jam-packed crowd in the morning today with denizens virtually competing with each other to take a glimpse of the acts of daredevilry performed by Paikas from Khurda. The ‘Patha Utsav’ dedicated to the observation of 200th year of ‘Paika Rebellion’ this Sunday remained a big attraction for the people with fancy dress, song and drawing competition’s held among the children on the theme.
State Minister for Tourism and Culture Ashok Panda and Bhubaneswar Mayor Anant Narayan Jena attendied the Patha Utsav among others.
Informing on selection of the theme for the latest edition of the Patha Utsav, Tourism and Culture Minister of the State Ashok Panda said it has been the practice of this weekly event to dedicate each edition to a separate theme like women, children and youth. This time, the organizers tried to commemorate the ‘Paika Rebellion’. The initiative would strengthen Odisha’s demand to declare the Paika uprising the status of the first freedom struggle of India,” he added.
Reacting to questions from media persons, Bhubaneswar Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said the Paika theme im this edition demonstrates our respect to the brave fighters who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the motherland. A good number of Paika participants participated in today’s programmes held during the Patha Utsav, he added.
Kalinga AI