By D N Singh
A very nostalgic throwback to 74 years, when Odisha’s state capital was virtually oscillating in a notional premise. Cuttack, the silver city with a millennium tag was a front runner for the capital. But, somehow, the political patriarchs of that time decided to set up the capital in Bhubaneswar.
Plans and blue prints were drawn and Bhubaneswar, then a cluster of scattered human settlements dotting the sporadic forest patches was chiseled for the plans. In 1948, the dreams were realized. It was no mere thing because the yet-to-be-born urban giant was a sleeping entity. Soon things went under a change.
As if it was a fresh impetus injected into the psyche of people of Odisha. As the state was waking up to a new morning and a new sun popped up in the horizon like a crescendo of a new hope.
Palpitations were high in each one in Odisha when on April 13, the state (new born) was celebrating the foundation day of the state capital Bhubaneswar. A nomenclature that related to a Goddess Maa Bhubaneswari in the old city of Bhubaneswar.
The year was 1948, April 13 when Bhubaneswar was given its due place as the capital of Odisha, edging out the millennium city Cuttack . Bhubaneswar was carved on cluster of small hillocks, meadows and dales here and there.
Rich with a wealthy heritage and tales of glory of past, Bhubaneswar emerged out as a befitting spot for the modern dream of tomorrow.
And none other than the then Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, graced the occasion .
Days before the occasion, on the sprawling green bosom of Ram garh forest, a ‘marham’ laid road tore through its foliage, as the Red carpet for the premier of India, who was driven through by a lovely horse-cart, straddling through to the beats of the clappings from all around. Who was accompanied by then prime minister of Odisha (Chief minister in today’s terms) Dr Harekrushna Mahatab and many others.
Everyone was agog about a new tomorrow and hopes.
Today, the city Bhubaneswar has already emerged as one of the most noticed cities of India and has meanwhile struck its head as a Smart City.
A new city of a new incarnation, a new metaphor, Bhubaneswar fast surges ahead with modernity dotted with myriad sky-scappers and amenities, housing over a population of 50 lakh odd. The city has been fast negotiating the odds yet leaving bold footprints of development for tomorrow.
