Odisha: Tribute to all Odia Journalists on Odia Journalism Day. Every year August 4th is celebrated as Odia Journalism Day. On this day, Odisha’s first printed newspaper ‘Utkal Deepika’ was launched. Utkal Deepika was published as a weekly newspaper on 4th August 1866 under the editorship of Gourishankar Ray and Babu Bichitrananda Das. On that day, the foundation of the newspaper was laid.
August 4, 1866. That day was the day of glory for Odia journalism. ‘Utkal Deepika’ launched itself as Odisha’s first newspaper. Gourishankar Ray was its first editor. It was first published as a weekly and later as a daily. The newspaper was published by the Cuttack Printing Company established in Cuttack by the efforts of Gourishankar and his close associate Bichitrananda Das. Utkal Deepika played an important role in giving new directions in the social and political spheres of the time and presenting strong demands to the government for the self-defense of the Odias. The newspaper made efforts for social reform by raising its voice against abhorrent practices like child marriage. Utkal Deepika’s success created a trend in newspaper publishing in Odisha.
