‘Parab a platform to propagate Koraput tribal culture, art’

The three-day State level tribal cultural festival Parab-2012, which had kicked off on Friday, concluded on Sunday (November 18) after a glittering display of a host of cultural events.

 Attending as chief guest on the valedictory function, Tribal Development Minister of Maharashtra Rajendra Gavit said that Koraput is famous for its tribal culture in the nation and Parab has been the platform to preserve the district’s art and culture for the last sixteen years.

Gavit also opined that all the States should observe such a festival to preserve their culture. The Minister also informed that his State will organize such a Lok Mahotsav in coming days.

While District Collector Sachin Jadhav presided over the function, others who attended as guests include Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi, School and Mass Education Department Secretary Usha Padhee, Unicef Odisha chief U Me Bae, Nalco Damonjodi ED BN Mohanty, HAL ED Anirudh Kumar, Odisha Tour Operator chief Benjamin Simon and Sub Collector Rasmita Panda.

Minister Gavit was felicitated with Parab Memory Trophy by the District Council of Culture. Parab competition winners in various events were also awarded on the occasion. In college level Parab celebration, Laxmipur College got the first prize, Aeronautics College, Sunabeda got second, while Semiliguda College got the third prize.

In cultural competition, first prize was won by the Pottangi block, second was jointly presented to Nandapur and Koraput NAC, while the third prize was won by the Kundra block. In sports competition, Jeypore Municipality, Koraput NAC and Kotpad NAC stood first, second and third respectively.

All India Radio, Jeypore was felicitated for transmission of tribal art and culture. Later, a series of cultural events was performed including Odissi by Sujata Mohapatra and Group, Bhubaneswar, special dances by the Prince Dance group, Berhampur and Sidhi Dhammal of Gujrat, Durua dance by a group from Boipariguda, besides tribal folk dances by troupes from across the district. Source: The Pioneer  

Gopalpur beach festival from January 11 to 15

Gopalpur beach festival would be held in January this time rather than in December like earlier years. This five-day beach festival would be held from January 11 to 15. Earlier date of this beach festival used to coincide with Christmas. This decision was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the beach festival held in Berhampur city. This beach festival is organised every year jointly by the Ganjam district administration and Ganjam District Hoteliers' Association (GDHA) to promote tourism at this beach resort and to show case cultural heritage of South Odisha. The preparatory meeting was chaired by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) southern division, Laxmi Narayan Nayak. It was attended by Ganjam Collector Kishan Kumar, MLAs of Gopalpur and Berhampur and many office bearers.

Decision to shift dates of the beach festival was taken at the request of the GDHA. The GDHA felt holding of beach festival during festive tourist season was putting extra pressure on the small beach resort. Added to it large crowd that gathers up for the beach festival and clogged traffic was also causing problems for the tourists who check in hotels of the beach resort during that time. Holding of this beach festival during January would add up another tourist season for the beach resort, felt GDHA. This famous beach festival had been started during 90s by the GDHA and this famous beach is just 9km away from Berhampur city. Source: The Hindu