Kite Fest, art on Kalam and road safety major attractions at 74th Patha Utsav

Bhubaneswar: As the entire world awaits celebration of Makar Sankranti and Kite Festival tomorrow, the 74th Patha Utsav, the most popular street festival of the Temple City celebrated the morning today with a beautiful rangoli on kites, painting workshop on kite and distribution of kites among the slum kids.
While the beautiful rangoli was made by artists led by Itishree Dixit and group, with symbols of unity in diversity and national integration to go with the Kite Festival’s theme, Jai Odisha Foundation distributed kites among the children and especially among the slum kids, who also participate in Patha Utsav in large number, proving its philosophy of inclusiveness and a celebration which has no barrier of age, sex, religion, economic standard and groups and there was also an impressive footfall of 30,000 people today.
The Patha Utsav is an initiative of Bhubaneswar Development Authority in association with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha Tourism, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited and Commissionerate Police. Based on the basic idea of promoting non-motorised transport (NMT) and ideas on better lifestyle, smart and healthy living, walking and creative engagements to widen the canvas of every participant’s mind, the street festival has become a major attraction from toddlers to senior citizens with sessions on yoga, health tips, Zumba dance, cycling, walking, playing, singing, standup comedy, awareness on Ayurveda and medicinal plants and last but not the least, spreading a belongingness among the mosaic of people from all corners of Bhubaneswar.
UNIQUE ART ON KALAM
Besides all its attractions during the 74th Patha Utsav, a unique art made of 10,000 pins (micro nails) and 6-km-long black nylon thread, an 8-feet long and 6 feet high art of APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man, former President , a distinguished scientist and author of inspiring books to ignite minds of readers from all age groups made by young and talented self-taught artist Debi Prasad Rout from Sundarpada drew all attention.
Debi Prasad, who had spent 250 man-hours to create this unique work, says “this is first finised work by me using pins and thread. I am also working on other ideas and they would be over very soon. I have a small organization called DPR Artlife and we are working on pure and applied art, fashion, craft, décor and interior. However, as the famous scientist inspired every Indian with his simple life and noble thought, I dedicated my first major work to him.’’
Member Enforcement BDA and Nodal Officer for Patha Utsav Bhabani Shankar Chayani said “we always encourage unique art and creative things at Patha Utsav. We would be happy to showcase more such things in future so that new talents in art and craft would get a platform at the street festival of our city.’’
Nivedita Bhanja and her group of volunteers from Helpmate created traffic awareness and road safety lessons. While distributing “Makar Chaula’’ an auspicious rice offering on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Helpmate activists in collaboration with Commissionerate Police made people promise to use road safety norms while travelling on the city roads. “We offered “Makar Chaula’’ and expected that people would keep their promise and always pay respect to road-safety measures,’’ said Nivedita. The volunteers also took out a rally with placards to create awareness.
Apart from the above events music at two stages on two ends of Patha Utsav venue, body fitness awareness, roller skating, art zone, health-care and chek-up by AYUSH wing of Health and Family Welfare Department, Sparsh Hospital and solo performances by local artists attracted the people.