Finance
On Friday, the state Tourism Department hosted a big ‘Pakhala Parba’ at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar to showcase Odisha’s traditional summer meal ‘Pakhala’ on the global arena.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the occasion and hailed Pakhala as more than just a cuisine, but an integral part of Odisha’s culture and traditions.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Pakhala Divas aims to popularise Odia cuisine worldwide and unite Odias amid the growing dominance of Western food culture. “This day reminds us that our traditional food must not fade away,” he said.
Majhi recalled his childhood memories of Pakhala and stated that the meal crosses socioeconomic borders while also holding religious importance. He observed that Pakhala and Tanka Torani are offered as bhog to Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple, representing the purity and simplicity of traditional life.
The Chief Minister emphasized the health benefits of the fermented rice meal, stating that it contains probiotics that help eradicate unwanted germs from the body. He also described Pakhala as a “zero-waste food,” emphasizing its sustainability.
Majhi went on to say that World Pakhala Divas has become a global event, with Odias across India as well as in Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, and Singapore proudly commemorating the anniversary. “Pakhala has become a cultural bridge connecting the diaspora with their roots,” said Mr. Singh.
As part of the celebrations, the Tourism Department made 1,177 kg of Pakhala with 850 kg of rice in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. The cooked food was then delivered to almost 2,000 poor individuals.
Earlier, the Chief Minister attended an Odia food market at the location, where over 326 varieties of traditional delicacies were displayed. He also connected online with members of the Odia diaspora in 15 countries and recognized chefs who promote Odia cuisine at the national and international level.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, MLA Babu Singh, and Chief Secretary Anu Garg, among others.
