The Department of Culture of the Government of India has accorded national festival status to the famous Dhanu Yatra in Bargarh, Odisha.
This was informed by the Bargarh MP Pravas Singh and collector Anjan Manik at a meeting here on Friday.
They said the district administration and the organizing committee have already started preparatory measures two months ahead of the festival.
To make the festival more lively and attractive, a decision has been taken to select the actors to perform in various roles for which a selection committee has been formed under the chairmanship of additional collector Simanchal Mandal.
The committee will have the responsibility to nominate all actors of Mathuranagari.
Besides, well-known Bollywood and Ollywood actors and reputed cultural organizations at the national level would be roped in for the festival this year, they informed.
The meeting decided to bring out a souvenir on the festival in English for the first time. Bargarh MP Pravas Singh would be in charge of its publication.
Like previous years, Rangoli and Sand Art would be on display at the festival.
It was also decided that bus services from Gopapura to Mathuranagari would be provided by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) from this year.
OMFED would put up a stall at Gopapura and take up awareness campaign on production of milk.
Apart from this, the Veterinary department would organise a “Go Sambardhana” programme along with cattle farming during the week-long festival.
Among others, Bargarh MLA Debesh Kumar Acharya, SP Dr Uma Shankar Das, Zilla Parishad vice chairman Soubhagya Ranjan Nayak, senior district officials, office-bearers of Mahotsav Samiti and senior citizens were present at the meeting.
