Mayurbhanj, April 1 -- Odisha is celebrating Utkal Divas on Wednesday with great enthusiasm and pride, marking the historic formation of the state on April 1, 1936. The day commemorates the long-cherished dream of the Odia people for a separate linguistic identity.

District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj, Hemakanta Say, paid floral tributes to the eminent leaders, freedom fighters, and illustrious sons and daughters of Odisha, including Maharajas, legendary leader Biju Patnaik, Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, and even Mahatma Gandhi, for their pivotal roles in the formation and development of the state.

Speaking to ANI, the DM said, "In Mayurbhanj, Utkal Divas is observed with great reverence. At the Baripada headquart...