Utkal Divas on 1 April 2013
On 1st April 1936, the state of Odisha was formed and to remember the contributions and sacrifices made by the people of Orissa in those old days, Utkal Divas or Odisha Day is celebrated all over the state. Not only in Orissa but Utkal Diwas is celebrated in many cities and towns in India and abroad, where people from Odisha reside.
After losing its complete political identity in 1568 following the defeat and demise of the last Hindu king Mukunda Dev, efforts resulted into the formation of a politically separate state under British rule on linguistic basis on 1 April 1936.
The main revolution for the separate state was continued for three decades from the very day of formation of Utkal Sammilani that lead the foundation of a separate Odisha Province.
The movement was more intensed with the leadership of Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkala mani Gopabandhu Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandita Nilakantha Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Basudeba Sudhaladeba, Radhanath Ray, Bhubanananda Das, A. P. Patro and many others with the support of the public.
The newly formed Odisha consisted of six districts namely Cutack, Puri, Baleswar, Sambalpur, Koraput and Ganjam having its capital at Cuttack. John Austin Hubback took oath of office and became the first Governor of Odisha Province.
Later on the State was divided into 13 districts and then 30 districts. The day is celebrated as State Holiday in Orissa. On this occasion various cultural evenings, seminars, competition are organised in different parts of inside and out side the State. Oriya communities all over the world also celebrate wherever they are.
