Bhubaneswar, April 1 -- Utkal Divas is being celebrated across the State on Wednesday with great pride and enthusiasm. The day marks the formation of a separate Odisha province on April 1, 1936, due to the relentless efforts of many visionary leaders.

The historic occasion holds immense significance as Odisha became the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis, setting a precedent for the reorganisation of states in the country. For the people of Odisha, the day is a celebration of identity, unity and cultural heritage.

Odisha had come under British rule in 1803, and for decades, Odia-speaking regions remained scattered under different administrations. This fragmentation posed a serious challenge to the preservation of th...