Report by Odisha Diary bureau, Varanasi: Maintaining its tradition, Varanaseya Utkal Samaj (VUS), Varanasi, a society working for bringing together the Odia people and culture within and beyond the Odia community living around the holy city of Varanasi , organized Ganesh Chatuthi at Prof K. N. Uduppa Auditorium, IMS, Banaras Hindu University. The Puja started at 8AM with puspanjali at 10AM. A cultural evening was also organized in association with Union Bank of India, Varanasi. Among the cultural programmes, the centre of attraction was Odissi Dance by Ms. Purnashree Raut and Mr. Lucky Mohanty. These two eminent dancers are presently working as lecturer in Chhattisgarh Govt. The dance en-thralled both the Odia and non Odia audience from different parts of Varanasi. The Dance made the audience speechless for two hour. Mr. Bhagirath Jalan, famous semi Classical Vocalist of Varanasi also performed in this evening. Mr. Deepak Mohanty performed a mesmerizing Odia Bhajan “he Bandhu Bidaya..” Ms Surojyoti Pradhan and Ms. Akankshya Aparupa Dash conducted the event. Prof T. M. Mohapatra, President, VETS, Prof M. Mishra, Chairman, Ganesh Puja Committee and Mr. H .K. Behera, Field General Manger, UBI, Varanasi, wel-comed the delegates. Dr. Pradosh Mishra proposed the vote of thanks. Around three hundred gathering were in the hall to see the programme. Prof Gangadhar Panda, Vice Chancellor, Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishvavidyalay, Puri, Mr. S. K. Mallick, Director, Airport, Varanasi, Prof R. G. Singh, Director, IMS, BHU, staff members of the different bank, members of VUS, professors from dif-ferent department and students were present in this programme.
