Koraput: In the remote and disputed Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block of Koraput district, Utkal Diwas resonated with unmistakable Odia pride as the district administration brought the story of Odisha’s formation closer to its people. For the first time, a photo exhibition was organised by the information and public relations department in Kotia.Inaugurated by Koraput MLA Raghuram Macha, the exhibition was attended by collector, Koraput, Manoj Satyawan Mahajan; former MP Jayaram Pangi; zilla parishad president Sasmita Meleka; former MLA Prafulla Pangi; and Pottangi BDO Ramnath Nayak.For many in Kotia, this was their first direct visual engagement with the history of Odisha’s formation. Panels depicting the contributions of stalwarts such as Gajapati Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, and Maharaja Ramachandra Bhanjadeo drew curious onlookers.The literary legacy of poets like Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Radhanath Ray, Laxmikanta Mahapatra, and Madhusudan Rao added cultural depth to the narrative.A specially-curated timeline of the Utkal movement traced the long struggle for a separate Odia-speaking state, offering residents a sense of connection to a shared past that is often distant in geography but close in sentiment.The idea was to take history to the people and instill a sense of belonging among them towards the state, the collector said, underlining the importance of such outreach in border areas where cultural affirmation carries added significance.For locals, the exhibition was more than just a display. It was an emotional experience. “We had heard about these great personalities, but reading their stories and photographs here in our village makes us feel proud and connected to Odisha,” said Arjun Pangi, a resident of Kotia.Earlier in the day, nearly 3,000 people came together to celebrate Utkal Diwas in Kotia. The air was filled with traditional music and dance as villagers participated in cultural programmes.
