Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attends second day of Odisha Parba 2026 in New Delhi
By Tapaswini Sahoo
New Delhi, Mar 14 : The second day of Odisha Parba 2026, the three-day cultural festival celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of Odisha, witnessed the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who graced the event and interacted with members of the Odia community at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, “Odisha Parba being celebrated with such grandeur in Delhi reflects how deeply the Odia community remains connected to its roots and cultural traditions. For nearly a decade, this festival has brought together Odia families in the capital and filled Delhi with the vibrancy of Odisha’s heritage. Delhi, often called a ‘Mini India’, warmly embraces people from every state, and the Odia community has enriched the city’s cultural fabric. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to everyone celebrating this wonderful festival.”
The festival was inaugurated a day earlier in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, and other distinguished guests. Speaking during the inaugural ceremony, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that Odisha Parba has become an important platform to showcase Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, and artistic excellence in the national capital.
Other leaders also highlighted the contribution of the Odia community in strengthening cultural ties and bringing the rich traditions of Odisha to a wider audience in Delhi.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi, who also attended the celebrations, said, “It is a privilege to be present at Odisha Parba for the first time, and the atmosphere here truly makes one feel as if we are in Odisha itself. The festival beautifully showcases the state’s rich culture, traditions, handicrafts, and the creativity of its people, especially the contributions of women artisans. Such initiatives strengthen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ by bringing people closer to the diverse cultural heritage of our country.”
The second day of the festival featured vibrant cultural performances including traditional Odia dance and music, along with exhibitions of Odisha’s renowned handloom, handicrafts, and cuisine, attracting large crowds of visitors and cultural enthusiasts.
The festival also includes ‘Pratibha Utsava,’ a talent hunt platform for emerging artists. For the first time since the festival’s inception, a dedicated talent search session is being held in which students from Odisha are participating and presenting cultural dance performances and artistic programmes, both in solo and group formats, providing young talent an opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Complementing the cultural festivities, a series of seminars titled “Talk Today, Transform Tomorrow” brought together thought leaders, experts and policymakers to discuss Odisha’s journey toward a self-reliant, progressive and innovative future.
On day two, enthusiastic visitors embarked on a rich gastronomic journey at the food stalls featuring iconic Odia cuisine like Kataka Dahibada and Jagannath Mahaprasad, while also exploring an extensive pavilion showcasing world-renowned handlooms, Pattachitra art, and silver filigree.
Siddharth Pradhan, President of Odia Samaj, said, “Odisha Parba in Delhi has emerged as an important platform to showcase Odisha’s culture, traditions and progress. The festival plays a significant role in strengthening Odisha’s identity in the national capital. When I first came to Delhi in 1972, awareness about Odisha was limited, but today the state has established a strong presence and recognition across India and the world.”
Organized by the Odia Samaj of New Delhi, Odisha Parba continues to grow as one of the most prominent cultural festivals celebrating Odisha’s heritage in the national capital. The festival serves as a platform for Odias living outside the state to reconnect with their roots while introducing the wider public to the state’s rich traditions.
The three-day celebration continues to draw enthusiastic participation, reflecting the strong cultural spirit and unity of the Odia community.
