*Lok Mahotsav Parab inaugurated with great pomp*

*Culture and tradition are the pride of our nation - Minister Krishna Mohapatra*

Damanjodi/Koraput: National level Lok Mahotsav Koraput district's culture, heritage, tradition etc. National Lok Mahotsav Parab-2025 main ceremony was inaugurated on Thursday evening in the permanent Parab ground . In the morning, worship was performed at the Aradhya Devi Maa Muthialuma Temple of Koraput and a garland was brought. Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra attended as the chief guest and first inaugurated the Pallishri Mela. Later, in the main ceremony of Parab organized under the chairmanship of District Magistrate and Parab Committee Chairman Manoj Satyavan Mahajan, Minister Shri Mohapatra lighting the torch and started the program. Culture is the identity of a nation, a symbol of our self-respect, so we will maintain our cultural traditions through the festival, the chief guest said. The culture and heritage of Koraput soil are known through the festival, the products produced by our tribals are being bought by foreign tourists, which is contributing to their economic growth, the chief guest said. The festival said that it is a matter of pride and honor for us to get the status of National Tribal Festival today. The minister emphasized on the validity of the festival to preserve the tribal cultural traditions. Koraput MLA Raghuram Machh, Pattangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam, Laxmipur MLA Pitha Saunta Kotpad MLA Roop Bhatra, District Council Chairperson Sasmita Meleka, District Superintendent Of police Rohit Verma joined as the chief guests of honor and gave a speech about the vision and objectives of the festival. Students of Koraput Sishu Vidya Mandir performed Vande Mataram songs. The District Magistrate, while delivering the welcome speech, Additional District Magistrate Tapan Kumar Nayak proposed the vote of thanks. At the end of the meeting, the guests honored the people and artists who had achieved success in various fields. On the first night of the festival, the audience was mesmerized by the performances of Dhemasha, Odissi, Mastiputa wood dance, Dhemasha dance, Santali and the music of the eminent vocalist Umakanta Barik of the Durua community. He delivered a speech. The culture and heritage of Koraput soil is introduced through the festival, and the products produced by our tribals are bought by foreign tourists, which is contributing to their economic growth, the chief guest said. The festival today is a matter of pride for us to get the status of National Tribal Festival. The Minister emphasized on the validity of following the festival to preserve the tribal cultural tradition. Koraput MLA Raghuram Machh, Pattangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam, Laxmipur MLA Pituvata Saunta Kotpad MLA Roop Bhatra, District Council Chairperson Sasmita Meleka, SP Rohit Varma were the chief guests of honour and gave a speech about the vision and objectives of the festival. Students of Koraput Sishu Vidya Temple performed Vande Mataram. The District Collector gave the welcome speech and Additional District Collector Tapan Kumar Nayak proposed the vote of thanks. At the end of the meeting, the guests honored the people and artists who had achieved success in various fields. On the first night of the festival, the audience was mesmerized by the music performances of Dhemasha, Odissi, Mastiputa wood dance, Dhemasha dance, Santali and renowned vocalist Umakant Barik of the Durua community. It is reported that this festival will be held on the 22nd.