Aseema Odisha celebrates its 3rd Foundation Day in New Delhi

Lauding the people-collection initiative and philanthropic activities of Aseema Odisha or Odisha Without Border (OWB), Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Sunday urged all Odias to resolve the different issues faced by the state with focus and determination.

Speaking as the chief guest at Swabhiman Samaroh, the third Foundation Day ceremony of OWB, he also appealed to every Odia to fully dedicate themselves for the economic growth of the state.

AICC secretary Ramachandra Khuntia sought to make the Odia language the language of employment at the event that was organised with much pomp and show at the Satya Sai Auditorium here. If it happens, he said, the real aim of Odia’s classical language status will be Honourable guest and senior diplomat Amarendra Khatua hoped that non-resident Odias would play a decisive role in the allround development of their state.

NTPC director Kulamani Biswal asked all the non-OWB’s national president Khirod Kumar Jena informed the gathering about the philanthropic activities of the organisation in the last three years, which ranged from adopting villages in Odisha to relief work for the flood-hit people in Chennai. Chief Mentor Nihar Samantara appealed to all non-resident Odias to associate themselves with OWB. Celebration Committee president and senior journalist Kishore Dwibedi said that OWB’s next goal is to conquer the international boundary.

OWB Vice-Presidents Dr. Bipin Bihari Mishra and Subhas Gantayat, Secretary General Haraprasad Mohapatra, executive secretary Niranjan Mishra, zonal presidents Sangram Dhar, J K Nayak, Manoj Khatua, S K Das, Opal CFO Trinath Behera, actor Kuna Tripathy and Captain Kamal Chowdhury were present in the Thousands of Odias from various walks of life were present at the programme, otherwise dubbed the Mahakumbha of Odia Diaspora. A colourful souvenir titled ‘Assema Odisha’ was also released on the occasion.

The conclave was part of OWB’s mission to unite around two crore Odias staying away from Odisha. Formed in Bangalore on August 9, 2013, by 48 non-resident Odia organisations from across the country, OWB is the flagship apex body of all Pravasi Odia Associations across the globe. OWB’s first Foundation Day Celebration and International Convention of Non-Resident Odias was held in 2014 at Bangalore and Bhubaneswar, respectively. Chennai hosted the second Foundation Day with great gaeity on August 9, 2015.