London, 30th November 2024 – The Odisha Society of United Kingdom (OSUK) made history by hosting the first-ever Bali Jatra festival in the UK at Townley Grammar School in Bexley. The festival, which commemorates Odisha’s ancient maritime legacy, brought together over 500 attendees, including dignitaries, cultural icons, and community leaders from both the UK and India. Supported by Shree Jagannath Developer, Odisha Tourism, and Roptia, the event showcased the vibrant cultural heritage of Odisha to a wide audience.
The ceremonial Boita Bandana, a symbolic ritual that celebrates Odisha’s ancient trade with Southeast Asia, was inaugurated by Dr. Bhargava Vasudevan, Deputy Lieutenant of Gravesham, and Manoj Panda from the Indian High Commission. The floating of miniature boats with lighted lamps symbolized a tribute to Odisha’s maritime history.
The festivities began with the Indian and British national anthems, followed by Odisha’s state anthem, Bande Utkala Janani. A mesmerizing Mangala Charana performance by Odissi maestro Aviroop Sengupta and his student Adwiti Tripathy Pattnayak set the tone for the event. Yoga guru Sitanshu Sahu led a session promoting mental well-being, captivating the audience.
Mrs. Sweta Mohanty, OSUK spokesperson, highlighted Odisha’s pivotal maritime history and its contemporary relevance, including India’s concerted effort to propel its maritime resurgence and the stitched ship project. Director Partha Sarathi Panda emphasized the event’s mission to showcase Odisha’s rich heritage globally and foster international cultural and trade ties.
Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak, OSUK’s Organizing Secretary, expressed immense pride in the event, stating, “Bali Jatra UK is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Odia diaspora. It embodies our heritage and values while spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family. This event was made possible by the dedication of our members, sponsors, and supporters, uniting us to celebrate Odisha’s legacy and strengthen cultural bonds.”
The event received widespread praise and endorsement from various quarters. Smt. Zubin Irani, former Member of Parliament, commended OSUK for bringing the state’s rich heritage to a foreign land, a monumental effort in itself. Jay Panda, Member of Parliament and National Vice President of BJP, expressed his delight at the initiative, stating that it would bridge the UK and Odisha in a meaningful way. In a letter of appreciation, the Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha noted, “Bali Jatra in London will reinvigorate the glorious history and heritage of Odisha on the international stage, drawing attention to Odisha from global traders and investors.” A similar letter of appreciation was also received from the Deputy Chief Minister, Smt. Pravati Parida.
The event was graced by royal and parliamentary dignitaries, including The Mayor of Bexley, Cllr Sue Gower MBE JP; Mr. David Easton JP DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Bexley; and Dr. Bhargava Vasudevan FRCSEd, Deputy Lieutenant of Gravesham. The presence of Ollywood superstars Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita Sahu added glamour to the event, as they participated in a cultural parade, performed folk dances, and showcased Odisha’s handloom heritage in a fashion show. Other prominent members present included Manoj Panda, representative from the Indian High Commission; Rag Sandhu, a respected Councillor in Kent; and Jordan Meade, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health.
The event also featured the presentation of several prestigious awards, celebrating exceptional contributions across various fields. The Distinguished Overseas Citizen Award 2024 was presented to Rag Sandhu, with Sitansu Sahu as a finalist. Jordan Meade received the Excellence in Social Service Award 2024, with Sushmita Rajhansha as a finalist. The Outstanding Community Impact Award 2024 was awarded to Orpington Kanda Parivar, with Jagannath Society of Bath, UTSAB, Desi Trendy Sangathan, and Marathi Mandal Kent as finalists. Dr. Kanhu Charan Pattnayak was honoured with the Climate Change Leadership Award 2024, and the Digital Pioneer Award 2024 was presented to Roptia. The Women Entrepreneur Leadership Award 2024 recognized Jeeta Mona, Gayatri Panda, and Sonali Panda for their outstanding contributions, while the Social Impact Culinary Award 2024 was awarded to Debasmita Mohapatra. Upasana Padhi received the Home-Based Entrepreneur Award 2024. In the youth category, Adwiti Tripath