Date: 4 February 2024
Venue: Pandara Park, New Delhi
Organized by: Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti 

In the early spring of Delhi, as the winter chill slowly gave way to gentle sunlight, Pandara Park bloomed with the vibrant colours of Odisha. The Pushpuni Bhetghat 2024, organized by the Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti a collective of dynamic women representing the Paschim Odia Prabasi community became a radiant mosaic of tradition, togetherness, and timeless Odia pride.

Honouring the Essence of Pushpuni

पुषपूनि, celebrated after the harvest season in Western Odisha, is not merely a festival it is a feeling that binds hearts through gratitude, food, and folk expression. The Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti, driven by the purpose of cultural upliftment and preservation of Odia heritage, recreated this festive spirit amidst the cosmopolitan pulse of the capital. The event provided a home away from home for hundreds of Odias settled in Delhi NCR, reconnecting them to their roots through taste, tune, and togetherness.

A Gathering of Eminent Personalities

The occasion was graced by distinguished delegates whose presence elevated the event to a grand socio-cultural confluence.

Mrs Meenakshi Lekhi, then Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, was the Guest of Honour. A seasoned parliamentarian, lawyer, and advocate of women empowerment, Mrs Lekhi lauded the community for its commitment to nurturing India’s pluralistic traditions. In her address, she reflected that the Odia diaspora has played a pivotal role in keeping regional art and folk heritage alive even beyond state boundaries, demonstrating how culture can serve as soft diplomacy in strengthening national unity.

Shri Sunil Yadav, President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Delhi, appreciated the enthusiastic participation of youth and women in organizing such a massive cultural affair. He remarked that events like Pushpuni Bhetghat represent “the heartbeat of Bharat”—where regional identity meets national pride.

Adding further warmth to the gathering, Shri Virender Sachdeva, Working President of the BJP Delhi unit, praised the organizational discipline and volunteerism demonstrated by the members of the Samiti. He emphasized the need for nurturing local cultural festivals within metropolitan spaces as bridges that connect urban citizens to India’s rural ethos.

Sambalpuri Culture Takes Center Stage

The core of the celebration pulsed with Sambalpuri rhythm and colour. The stage, adorned with the famous Bandha Pata patterns and Bomkai motifs, came alive with a series of enthralling performances. The program began with an invocation to Lord Jagannath, followed by an energetic Sambalpuri folk dance that captured the festive joy of harvest season. The graceful swirls of the dancers, dressed in bright Sambalpuri sarees and gamuchhas, transported the audience straight to the paddy fields and courtyards of Western Odisha.

Children from the community showcased their talents in folk songs, skits, and recitations depicting Odia legends and village life. Their innocence and enthusiasm drew wide applause from the audience, symbolizing how the younger generation continues to carry the torch of heritage forward.

The event also featured a cultural exhibition displaying handcrafted artefacts, traditional jewellery, hand-woven textiles, and paintings inspired by Odisha’s tribal art. Visitors admired the fusion of tradition with modern aesthetic sensibilities a reminder that Odia art is timeless, adaptive, and ever-inspiring.

Felicitation and Community Recognition

A key highlight of the Bhetghat was the felicitation ceremony honouring members of the community who had contributed significantly to social welfare, education, and cultural promotion. The Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti recognized women entrepreneurs, educators, and artists whose work had empowered others and amplified the voice of Odisha on national platforms.

The spirit of inclusivity permeated every aspect of the celebration. Volunteers, dressed in matching Sambalpuri attire, welcomed guests with chandua-decorated pithas and rose petals, embodying the essence of Odia hospitality. The air was filled with the aroma of authentic delicacies Pascim odisha’s enriched food, Saga, Hendua, pitha, dalma and mansa served during the community lunch (bhoji bhojana) that brought together elders, youngsters, and guests in one joyous family feast. The sharing of food became symbolic of the harmony and affection that define the Odia community everywhere.

A Platform for Women and Cultural Upliftment

True to its purpose, the event underscored the leadership and organizational prowess of women. The Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti has long stood for empowerment through culture, and the Pushpuni Bhetghat 2024 demonstrated that vision in action. From conceptualization to coordination, women played the central role in curating performances, managing logistics, and ensuring inclusivity. Their teamwork transformed the day into a seamless and memorable experience for all.

Several speakers highlighted the historical and philosophical significance of Pushpuni celebrating the harmony between nature and humanity, prosperity and humility, celebration and gratitude. The festival thus resonated as both a cultural revival and a collective thanksgiving, reminding everyone of their shared Odia identity amid Delhi’s diverse social fabric.

Participation and Togetherness

The event saw the participation of hundreds of Odia families residing in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Many travelled from distant corners of the capital to reconnect with fellow Odias and relive cherished memories of their homeland. The lush green surroundings of Pandara Park were filled with laughter, melodies, and rhythmic beats of dhol and nishan.

Children played around the food stalls, elders exchanged nostalgic stories of their villages, and newcomers to Delhi found instant belonging in this extended family. This inter-generational bonding gave the Bhetghat a rare emotional depth it was not just an event but an emotion of homecoming for everyone present.

Closing Reflections

The formal program concluded with Dr Jagadish Hansa (Advisor DONKS), representing the organizing committee, delivering heartfelt closing reflections. His words beautifully captured the underlying philosophy of the day:

“Pushpuni is more than a festival it is a reminder of who we are. Even as we live far from our soil, our language, songs, and traditions breathe within us. Today’s gathering is a testimony to the Odia spirit that transcends geography. We celebrate not just the harvest, but the enduring bond between Delhi and Odisha between modern life and ancestral wisdom.”

His speech resonated deeply, leaving the audience introspective yet joyous, proud yet humble. The resounding applause that followed was not only for the event’s success but also for the shared identity it reaffirmed.

As the sun set over Pandara Park, the colours of the Sambalpuri sarees glowed brighter against the fading sky. The rhythmic claps of the final dalkhai dance echoed like a heartbeat of Odisha in Delhi. Pushpuni Bhetghat 2024 thus concluded as a celebration of culture, community, and continuity a festival of belonging that reminded every Odia that no matter where life takes them, their roots will always bloom in the fragrance of their heritage.