An inspiring celebration of culture, inclusivity, and community spirit at Police Ground, Koraput
Koraput, June 14:
In a heartening display of cultural celebration and community engagement, Koraput District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan, IAS, joined children and adolescent girls to celebrate the traditional Raja (Rajo) Festival at the Vikash Mela venue, located at Police Ground, Koraput.
The Raja festival, deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural ethos, honours womanhood, nature, and the agrarian cycle. As part of the Vikash Mela celebrations commemorating one year of the state government led by Mr Mohan Charan Majhi, the event drew enthusiastic participation from young girls and the general public. In a notable gesture, he visited local food stalls, purchased millet-based dishes, made payments through UPI, and sat with the public to enjoy the meal, exemplifying simplicity and solidarity with the people.
Collector Koraput actively took part in the festivities, sharing joyful moments with the children—pushing swings, distributing sweets, and engaging in lively conversations. The atmosphere was filled with folk music, traditional games, and vibrant decorations reflecting the spirit of Raja.
Organised at the Police grounds-Koraput, the event aimed to blend festive traditions with inclusive governance. The girls expressed excitement and happiness at the Collector’s informal interaction, calling it “memorable” and “inspiring.”
A major highlight of Vikash Mela is the “Subhadra Shakti Food Festival”, where women-led SHGs and tribal groups prepare and serve live traditional Odia dishes, with a special focus on Koraput’s native millets, aromatic spices, mango-based recipes, and more. The festival celebrates local cuisine while promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits.
Another major attraction is the “ORMAS Mela”, an exhibition featuring handmade products by local artisans, including terracotta crafts, handloom textiles, lemongrass-based wellness products, and home décor items. These stalls are not only boosting local livelihoods but also showcasing the district’s rich artisanal legacy.
A beautifully decorated cultural stage with dynamic lighting and sound setup hosts folk performances by local artists every evening, drawing large crowds and keeping the spirit of Odisha’s indigenous arts alive.
Vikash Mela 2025 continues till June 18, promising a rich blend of developmental showcases, tribal entrepreneurship, local gastronomy, and folk artistry, making it one of Koraput’s most impactful public events in recent times.
