Nuakhai 2008 celebrated in Mumbai

Nuakhai -2008 was celebrated at Royal Garden Resorts in Mumbai Suburb by a Mumbai-based group from western Orissa called Paschim Odisha Parivaar - Mumbai (POP-Mumbai) with much fanfare and enthusiasm on 28th September. After offering Pooja to Maa Samleswari, people present in the 'Nuakhai Bhetghat' had prasad (khiri made of new rice & manda pitha) and greeted each other with Nuakhai Juhar.

Members were introduced each other and sang Sambalpuri song. All the members participated in the quiz on Western Odisha to refresh their memories about the culture, places, clothing, jeweleries, rivers, temples etc. Meritorious students excelled in various examinations were felicitated with certificate and prizes. All enjoyed the hot & tasty lunch served. At the end all the members participated in the Sambalpuri folk dance (Rangabati, Dalkhai etc.) played by the DJ.

About 100 people from various field consisting of bureaucrats, scientist, engineers, doctors, educationalists, bankers, corporate executive, film & tv personalities, computer professionals, housewives and children attended the Nuakhai Bhetghat.

As a whole Nuakhai 2008 by POP-Mumbai was a grand success like last year with bigger participation. The organising committee of POP-Mumbai expect a bigger participation in the coming years and plan to have a professional folk dance troupe from Western Odisha for celebration of Nuakhai-2009.