Utkal Divas\' celebrated in Kochi

Kochi: Utkalika�Cochin Oriya Association, a socio-cultural collective of Oriya diaspora comprising 150 families in and around Kochi, celebrated �Utkal Divas on Sunday to commemorate the formation of the State way back on April 1, 1956. It coincided with the fourth anniversary of the association.

Prafulla Chandra Ghadai, Orissas Minister for Finance and Culture, was the chief guest of the function that was held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Auditorium. Mr. Ghadai said as against popular perception, Orissa was a rich State, rich in minerals and other natural resources. �The culture of Orissa is among the best in the country. Same is the case with the standard of education in the State, he emphasised. �Janani janma bhoomischa swargadapi gareeyasi,� he quoted the Ramayana to enunciate the point that wherever an �migr� be, motherland to him/her is dearer than heaven