A preparatory meeting to celebrate the Mahaparban Maraguda folk festival of art, literature and culture of Nuapada district- 2026 in a grand ceremony has been held today at the local Sadbhavna house under the chairmanship of District Collector Madhu Sudan Das. Hon’ble Nuapada MLA Jay Dholakia, Hon’ble Khadial MLA Adhiraj Mohan Manigarahi, Former MP Basant Panda, District Council Deputy Chairperson Mrs. Deepika Deep, Bankhand Officer Aziz Khan, Additional District Magistrate Subash Chandra Rait, District Chief Development Officer Lambodar Dharua, Additional Security Officer Ranjit Naik, Upazila Magistrate Surmi Soren, Nuapada Block Chairperson Mrs. Tarashwari Sahu, Komna Block Chairperson Mrs. Anusuya Potter, Khadial Block Chairperson Mrs. Puspanjali Nand, Khariar Road NAC Chairperson Dr. Sonia Jain Agarwal, various people representatives, dignitaries from different sections of the society, artists, all district level officials and media representatives were present. Presented the details of the folk festival l It was unanimously decided in the meeting to organize the Maraguda Folk Festival and Pallishri Mela from 1st to 5th April at the local National College campus. Guests and dignitaries from different fields of the district gave their thoughtful views on the special festival. Thirteen committees were formed to conduct the festival smoothly and successfully. They are – Advisory Committee, Reception Committee, Education Committee, Exhibition Committee, Food Committee, Accommodation Committee, Stage Management Committee, Publicity Committee, Safety and Security Committee, Sanitation Committee, Cultural Committee, Souvenir Committee and Spiritual Committee. Each committee was given the responsibility to carry out its respective duties properly. The District Governor considered the folk festival as a symbol of the glorious tradition and culture of the district and wished for the coordination and cooperation of all the people’s representatives, residents of Nuapada, government officials and media representatives. At the end, poet Gaurang Sahu gave vote of thanks. District Culture Officer Ramesh Kumar Mehra organized the preparatory meeting. Bishwanath Samal reports from Nuapada