RAYAGADA: Chaiti chariot was flagged off by Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar after performing the rituals at Majhighariani temple here on Sunday. The chariot will move across 11 blocks of the district propagating the mega cultural event - Chaiti festival.
Chaiti festival-2016, which will begin from December 10, is a common platform for the tribals as well as artistes from across the country to showcase their talent.
Organised by the District Council of Culture and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, the festival will begin at the block level and culminate at the district level. The annual ‘mahotsav’ is likely to be witnessed by a large number of visitors.
Meanwhile, the district administration has set a plan to propagate ‘Ama Sankalpa’, a project to create awareness on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) among people.
“We will also sensitise the tribals to avoid open defecation and build Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) in their community to lead disease-free life,” said Collector Guha Punam.
Chief Executive of District Supply and Marketing Society (DSMS) A Uma Mahesh said the five-day Pallishree Mela will also be organised to boost the business of SHGs and other traders of the district. Various cultural programmes will be held to add more colour to the festival.
Rayagada SP K Siba Subramani, ADM LK Behera, sub- collector Muralidhar Swain and PD DRDA Prashant Rath were present.