Bhubaneswar: Utkal Divas, marking the formation of Odisha, was celebrated across the state as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted people on the occasion.
"On Utkal Diwas, I convey my greetings to the kind & industrious people of Odisha & hope that Odisha's development will attain new heights," Modi tweeted on the 80th anniversary of the state's formation day.
Patnaik took to Twitter to say, "Remembering the pioneers of Odisha statehood movement on 80th anniversary of Odisha Divas."
A number of functions and programmes were organised across the state as the day was celebrated to commemorate the sacrifices made by people for the formation of Odisha as a separate state on this day in 1936 when it was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province.
The Chief Minister, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, state Congress president Prasad Harichandan and other leaders paid tributes separately to the late leaders who had fought for the state's identity.
People from different walks of life paid tributes to the legends and reformers like Utkala Gaurav Madhusudan Das, Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, Maharaja Ramachandra Bhanjadeo, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Raja Baikunthanath Dey, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher and Gourishankar Ray.
The state capital wore a festive look as government buildings and other important structures were tastefully decorated and illuminated with colourful lights.
A state-level function was held here on the occasion which was graced by the chief minister and a host of distinguished leaders.
