Utkalika Qatar celebrated the Raja festival, honouring womanhood and the fertility of Mother Earth.
Traditionally celebrated in the Indian state of Odisha, the festival marks the beginning of the agricultural season and the onset of the monsoon.
The event was a colourful spectacle, with members showcasing a variety of Odia delicacies, including traditional cakes and sweets. The spread included classics such as 'Poda Pitha', a baked rice cake, and 'Chakuli Pitha', a type of pancake, among other sweets and savouries.
The chief guest, Dr Maneesh Mangal, principal of Podar Pearl School, inaugurated the festival, addressed the gathering and feted the Class X and XII achievers along with Utkalika Qatar president Dr Basanta Kabi, general secretary Abinash Acharya, vice president Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, joint secretary Ipsita Satpathy, education secretary Satyajit Samal and joint education secretary Priyadarshini Senapati.
The event also featured traditional music and dance performances. Attendees dressed in vibrant Odia attire, participated enthusiastically, showcasing the unity and cultural pride of the Odia community in Qatar.
As the festival concluded, there was a palpable sense of joy and fulfilment among the attendees, who left with cherished memories and a strengthened sense of cultural pride. The event was organised by the Utkalika Ladies wing headed by Secretary Niharika Swain and Joint Secretary Jayashree Mohapatra.
