Today is Utkal Diwas. It was on this day, April 1 in 1936 when Odisha came into being as a State during the British rule. Several programmes are being organised today to mark the occasion. Many dignitaries have conveyed their good wishes to the people of the State. In his message, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal has called upon one and all to resolve to develop Odisha into a prosperous State. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed to the people to keep up the tempo of progress that the State has achieved in different spheres. 

Utkal Diwas was celebrated on Sunday to commemorate the 75 th year of formation of Odisha. Unified Odisha was formed on linguistic basis on this in 1936. The Governor of Odisha Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare inaugurated the function organised by Confederation of Odia Organisations in New Delhi to mark the occasion. Eminent personalities including Union Ministers of State Srikant Jena and V Narayanasamy, Members of Parliament Motilal Bhora, Ram Chandra Khuntia and Baishnab Charan Parida graced the occasion. A book titled 'Voice of Odisha in Parliament' written by Mr Ram Chandra Khuntia, Member of Parliament was also released by the Odisha's Governor. Eminent writer Manoj Das, Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra and Odissi dancer Kavita Dwibedi were felicitated at the function.