The Odisha government has declared September 9 a public holiday for all government, government-aided, and private schools in observance of the Nuakhai festival. The festival itself was celebrated on September 8, a Sunday. This decision follows the earlier announcement by the state government, which declared the closure of all state government offices, magisterial courts, and educational institutions on September 9 in honor of Nuakhai.
Further extending the holiday period, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department issued a notice indicating that all banks and other financial institutions across Odisha will also remain closed on September 9. This decision was formally announced through an official notification from the Odisha Government.
Nuakhai, primarily celebrated in Western Odisha, holds significant cultural and agricultural importance. It is a festival that marks the arrival of the new rice harvest and signifies the beginning of a new agricultural season. President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings on the occasion, stating, “I extend my heartfelt greetings of Nuakhai to all the countrymen, especially the people of Odisha. Nuakhai is a great festival of our agriculture-based life. It is also an occasion to express gratitude to the farmers of the country. I wish that this festival brings happiness and prosperity in everyone’s life.”
Coinciding with the Nuakhai festival, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the CM Kisan Yojana, a program designed to benefit farmers. A dedicated CM Kisan Portal, also known as the Farmer Odisha Unified Portal, has been established to facilitate the scheme. In his message on X, the CM said, “The launch of CM Kisan Yojana on the auspicious occasion of Odisha’s agricultural Ganparb, Holy Nuankhai, is a moment of joy for all of us. Launched CM Kisan Portal, Farmer Odisha Unified Portal for the benefit of farmers. Keeping in mind the overall development of the farmers, our government has launched the CM Kisan Yojana.” The CM’s post highlighted the scheme’s potential to benefit approximately 46 lakh farming families in the state, with 925 crores in financial assistance being directly transferred to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to enhance their financial stability and progress.
