CUTTACK: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has set up its own pavilion replicating Anand Bhawan, the ancestral house of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, at Bali Jatra.
The CMC has been setting up its pavilion at the fairground replicating different artefacts of the Millennium city every year. “Model of Orissa High Court, Ravenshaw University and Netaji Birth Place Museum have been constructed at the fairground during the last three years and the proposal for creating a replica of Anand Bhawan was finalised this year after it was converted into a memorial museum,” said CMC Commissioner Bikash Mahapatra.
More than ` 1 lakh has been spent on construction of ‘Anand Bhawan’ pavilion which measures 60 foot by 60 foot, Mahapatra added. A photo gallery exhibiting implementation of different Government-sponsored developmental and welfare programmes, numbers, names and photos of different wards and respective corporators, a gallery (30ftx20ft) located inside the pavilion is also exhibiting models of achievements of different developmental and welfare projects of the Silver city.
The CMC has also set up two stalls in its pavilion. While one stall is selling medicinal plants and herbs the other deals in biodegradable carry bags, paper packets, cups and plates to spread the message of a polythene-free environment.“Our joy knew no bounds as we got an opportunity to see replica of Anand Bhawan, Biju Babu’s birthplace here at the fair ground,” said Ghanashyam Roul of Sambalpur.
In January 2015, Naveen and his brother Prem donated the property, including half an acre plot and the 5,000 sqft building, to the Government after which it was converted into museum.