Abu Dhabi: 4th May 2018 marked a historic day for the expat Odia community residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with the celebration of “”UTKAL DIVAS & UTKARSHA-2018’” by ODIA SAMAJ ABU DHABI (OSA) in UAE at the iconic Landmark Abu Dhabi Theater, Near Heritage Village. The whole expat Indian Odia community came together to celebrate this special and unique Odia festival. This event is a testimony to the fact that the expat Odia community has not forgotten their cultural heritage despite living far away from their motherland in a far off country.
Mr. Sultan Al Hajji – President – Alliance Francaise Abu Dhabi, Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer- TOTAL E&P United Arab Emirates graced the occasion as the honorable chief guest.
Dr. Sabeer Nellikode of Universal Hospitals Group, Mr. Dilip Verma- MD Universal Voltas were the guest of honor of this august occasion. Leading and emerging Ollywood actress, Ms. Debjani Deghuria, renowned Music Director & Singer Mr. Abhijeet Mazumdar & celebrated Ollywood comedian cum singer James participated in the grand cultural extravaganza as celebrity guests. Leading eminent personalities from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and nearby areas added flavor to the grand event and made it a huge success. OSA thanked all those who played a key role in making the event such a historic and momentous occasion.
After lighting of lamps, the program commenced with the prayer “Bande Utkala Janani” in praise of the motherland & followed by Odia Devotional songs by in house talents. The event further progressed with kids’ performance of globally recognized ODISSI Dance, Ollywood Dance etc. The audiences were left spellbound by a magnificent Odia Drama “AAHAA BAIKUNTHAM” written by Smt. Nibedita Jena & directed by Mr. Ashok Panda. There were some notable dance & Singing performances by Members of OSA (ladies & Gents) which were also praiseworthy. The cultural programs and the organizers received all-round praise and appreciation from one and all. The audience remained glued to their seats watching outstanding and fabulous performances from the in-house talents as well as from the visiting celebrities.
A documentary based on our mother land ODISHA on the eve of UTKAL DIVAS, was screened in the beginning of the event, reminding everyone of our rich heritage. Mr. Sultan Al Hajji-Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer- TOTAL E&P United Arab Emirates, Dr. Sabeer Nellikode of Universal Hospitals Group, Mr. Dilip Verma- MD Universal Voltas, Pradeep Kumar Rath -President of OSA, presented their views on Odisha & Importance of Utkal Divas. OSA also took the opportunity to release its magazine, entitled ”Prabasi Utkarsha-2018” during the historic event in the presence of the leading personalities and the august gathering.
OSA’s charismatic President Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rath, was ably supported and guided by chief advisors Mr. Ashok Kumar Mohanty, Ashok Panda and Himanshu Das in organizing this grand cultural extravaganza. Equally important roles were played by Mr. Arun Malik, Siddartha Das, Balkrushna Bisoyi, Kamal Panda, Pratik Dash, Sudanshu Patro, Sukarna Behera, Sushovan Das, Abdur Rauf, and Manas Udgata in organizing the event. Besides them, Mr. Kartik Singh, Amulya Sahoo, Rabinarayana Dash, Sushanta Mohapatra, Satyabrata Patra, Siddartha Sabat, Pradeep Sahoo, Saugat Nayak, Sanjib Patel, Ranjit Dash, Bijaya Sahoo, Satyajit Singh and Sudhir Panda played key supporting and strategic roles in organizing this historic event. This event is duly supported by the Indian Embassy in UAE.Odia Samaj Abu Dhabi (OSA) will continue to make relentless efforts to spread the rich cultural heritage of our motherland overseas by organizing such events with the help of the expat Odia community residing in Abu Dhabi.
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