Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a public holiday for Nuakhai, but the decision has sparked criticism as the holiday has been declared a day after the festival is observed.
Nuakhai, the agrarian festival celebrated with great fervour in western Odisha, falls on September 8 this year, marking the offering of the season’s first harvest to the presiding deity. Traditionally, families gather on the day itself to perform rituals, share meals, and seek blessings.
However, according to a government notification issued on Wednesday, the official holiday will be observed on September 9, a day later. The move has led to widespread discontent among people in western Odisha, who argue that the essence of the festival is lost if the leave does not align with the actual date.
Political leaders and cultural organisations have already urged the government to reconsider its decision. “Declaring the holiday after Nuakhai is meaningless. The people of western Odisha deserve a proper holiday on the day of the festival, not the next day,” said an office-bearer of the Western Odisha Yuva Manch.
Many have also taken to social media to express disappointment, with hashtags like #NuakhaiHoliday and #RespectOurFestival beginning to trend.
The state government, however, defended its move, stating that the holiday was declared on “administrative grounds.” Officials have not confirmed whether there will be a revision of the order.
-OdishaAge
