Rangabati Utsav to ease the western and coastal Odisha divide
June 2, 2012 at 5:27 am sanjibkarmee 1 comment
Following report is from the Hindu:
At a time when the demand for a separate state for western Odisha is gaining momentum on grounds of negligence of the western Odisha region by the State government, an IAS officer’s small step has taken a giant leap forward in erasing the much-hyped western-coastal Odisha divide.
The just concluded three-day Rangabati Utsav, a festival of dance and music of western Odisha – a brain-child of Ashok Kumar Tripathy, the Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture of Government of Odisha – staged in the capital by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi with financial support of Odisha Tourism and the first of its kind for the State, reaped rich dividends by reposing their faith in the people of western Odisha. “Earlier, when we performed in Bhubaneswar, we were not being treated properly. But, the grand platform, treatment and hospitality that we received during this government-organised festival were amazing. It was a belated but befitting step that the government initiated to showcase the unique cultural tradition of western Odisha. We were honoured that the Governor, the ministers and many eminent people came to watch us,” remarked Ghasiram Mishra, master percussionist and septuagenarian artiste from Bolangir, whose captivating concert fetched him standing ovation. Legendary singer Jitendriya Haripal, better known to the world as the male singer of the evergreen Rangabati number, was full of praise for the organisers of the event. “It was for the personal effort of the officer (Principal Secretary) that I and Krishna Patel could sing together on stage for the first time after a gap of 30 years, he said.
Entry filed under: Demand of Koshal state, Kosli Culture, Rangabati.
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum 
1.
RCRath | June 3, 2012 at 2:41 am
It is a good gesture. But, solid steps are required for the improvement in the living standard of the rural people of the western odisha. Unless economic prosperity is there, culture and sports activities are likely to be given secondary role by the common men. First priority is increase the level of income. Spread education, skill upgradation and minimum basic needs of human beings like water, transportation , health etc. Create Professional Training Institutes (engineering, medical, para-medical, services, manufacturing) so that employment can be easier. Water harvesting technique, watershed development, food processing … etc. Also think for the high school drop outs who need to earn for their survival. We want a prosperous Odisha. Odisha means all 30 districts, not coastal one. Let Western Odisha may first get its recognition in Tourism map of Odisha.