Rourkela: There will be an easing of shutdown restrictions Sunday in areas coming under Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) for ‘Nuakhai’ festival.
In this regard, the state government issued a notification. The notification (dated 21/8/2020) read, “The weekend shutdown imposed in the jurisdiction of Rourkela Municipality Corporation is here by relaxed on 23rd August, 2020 (Sunday) to allow the citizens to observe the said festival in their premises without causing any congregation at any place in accordance with the lockdown orders issued vide Order No. No. 4582/R&DM (DM) dated 31.07.2020 and maintaining all safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, proper sanitization, etc.”
At the same time, Rourkela Municipal Corporation said in a tweet that the relaxation is only for residential celebration of the festival. Hence, shops to be remain closed Sunday.
Notably, in view of the increasing COVID-19 cases weekend shutdown in Rourkela Municipality area has been imposed till August 31.
‘Nuakhai’ is a mass festival linked to harvest. What Onam is to Kerala and Bihu is to Assam, ‘Nuakhai’ is to Western Odisha. The festival is celebrated the next day after Ganesh Chaturthi i.e. Shukla Paksha, Panchami Tithi of lunar fortnight of Bhadraba month.
PNN