Bhuvneshwar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan extended his greetings on the occasion of the 'Nuakhai' festival on Sunday. Pradhan, who is also the MP from Sambalpur in Odisha, celebrated the festival at the residence of retired agricultural officer Madan Mohan Mishra and his wife, Swarna Manjari Mishra, in Nandpada, Sambalpur. He participated in the traditional Nuakhai Prasad 'Nabanna,' which is the first crop of the season.

In a post on the social media platform X, Pradhan expressed his gratitude, saying, "On the auspicious occasion of the agricultural festival 'Nuakhai,' I celebrated Nuakhai with Nabanna along with the family members of retired agricultural officer Madan Mohan Mishra and his wife Swarna Manjari Mishra at Nandpada in Sambalpur. I have been associated with this family since I was in charge of the student body. I received a lot of love from everyone. After many days, the new family members are feeling very happy. Thanks for the respect and hospitality."

Speaking to ANI, Pradhan described 'Nabanna' as one of the most emotional festivals in West Odisha, highlighting that it is a time when farmers offer the first grain of their crop to their deities. "On behalf of the people of Sambalpur and Odisha, I extend my heartiest wishes to the farmers on this great festival," he added.

Pradhan also mentioned that Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi would visit Sambalpur to celebrate 'Nabanna' and provide financial aid to farmers through the 'CM Kisan Sanman Nidhi' scheme. "Today, we have gathered in Sambalpur, and Chief Minister Majhi will join us to participate in 'Nabanna' and distribute financial assistance to lakhs of farmers through the CM Kisan Samman Nidhi," Pradhan noted.

Nuakhai is a significant agrarian festival in Western Odisha that marks the arrival of the new rice season. On this day, people offer the newly harvested Nabanna (new rice) to their respective deities.

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