‘Chhenapoda part of our emotions’

Bhubaneswar: The people of the state, Thursday, celebrated ‘Chhenapoda Dibasa’ with fun and fervour with the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik calling the occasion as something associated with Odia emotions.

Taking to X, the CM said, “Cehhenapoda is associated with our emotions. As a traditional sweet, it has enriched our food diversity. Let’s all celebrate ‘Chennapoda’ day with joy and make it even more far reaching.”

On this occasion, Nayagarh Vikas Manch (NVM) and Odia Media Private Limited (OMPL) organised an event at Soochana Bhawan here, where visitors got an opportunity to savour the traditional delicacies like Chhenapoda, Moong Dal Pakoda and Arisa Pitha, apart from being treated to cultural programmes such as Pala, Dasakathia, Bagha Nacha and Odissi dance. The programme was attended by many eminent personalities, including writer Dash Benhur, singer Tansen Singh, writer Karunakar Patnaik and PM’s former advisor Umakanta Mishra. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Sudarshan Sahu, who is believed to have first prepared the sweet dish. NVM aims to initiate a campaign for getting Geographical Recognition (GI) tag for the famous sweet dish. Since 2022, NVM has been celebrating Chhenapoda Dibasa in association with OMPL. Post 1947, Sahu set up a hotel in the village of Daspalla and began experimenting with leftover cottage cheese. Chhenapoda Dibasa has been celebrated since 11 April 2022, the birth anniversary of Sahu.

ARINDAM GANGULY, OP