KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, April 2: Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice of Jharkhand high court attended the Utkal Divas celebration at the Utkal Association in Sakchi on Saturday.
He spoke in length about how did the Odisha province in British India came into being on April 1 in 1936 and eventually became a vibrant state post-Independence.
“April 1 should also be celebrated as the day of Consolidation as this was the day in 1948 when 26 Princely estates had merged to form what is Odisha state today,” Justice Mishra said while giving his speech as chief guest on the occasion of Utkal Divas celebration.
Justice Mishra who is eloquent about the general linguistic perception besides having a high level of legal expertise elaborated upon the richness of the classical Odiya language while marking the significance of Utkal Divas.
While addressing the gathering, the silver-tongued chief justice, referred to some touching examples of socio-legal cases that he had dealt with when he was a judge in a district court in Odisha, leading the audience to applaud by clapping their hands.
Before gracing the podium, justice Mishra accompanied by his wife visited the Jagannath temple on the premises of the Utkal Association.
Also present was justice Anil Kumar Chowdhury who graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Besides several dignitaries like trade union leader Rajeshwar Pandey, advocate Manoranjan Dash, Rajesh Shukla attended the function which was followed by a cultural program.
During the occasion, Dr Shridhar Pradhan, president, Utkal Association in his speech spoke briefly about the achievement made by the association and said informed that a good number of students enrollment will be made this year in the upcoming Utkal Association English School and also about the near completion of compound wall work of the Jagannath temple construction project along the Marine Drive.
During the occasion, chief justice Mishra and justice Chowdhury were presented with mementos by industrialist Shuvendu Behera and advocate Manoranjan Dash respectively.
Lastly, Dr Sanjay Patro, dean, XLRI and vice-president of the Utkal Association gave the vote of thanks.