Sudam Babu|state Buero chief odisha

Subarnapur, November 6, 2026: Traditional art forms and youthful creativity took centre stage as Subarnapur district hosted folk dance and folk music competitions on the second day of the Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue on Friday. The cultural events were held at the District Cultural Bhawan, bringing together nearly 150 participants to showcase their artistic abilities and celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage.

The winners of the competitions were honoured with prizes during an afternoon felicitation ceremony attended by several distinguished guests.

Engineer Raghunath Jagadala, MLA and Chairman of the Planning Board, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Subarnapur Collector Debashis Singh, Additional District Magistrate Anjalina Pradhan, Municipal Council Chairperson Tamasi Tamasmita Nayak and District Sports Officer Chittaranjan Mishra were among the dignitaries present.

The competitions were conducted under the inspiring theme, “Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India”, highlighting the need to encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and contribute responsibly towards nation-building. Through their performances, participants conveyed messages of cultural pride, social awareness and positive youth engagement.

In the folk dance category, Santushuni Group emerged as the winner, securing first place. Maheswari Kala Parishad of Binika finished second, while Rumku Jhuma, also from Binika, claimed the third position.

The folk music competition witnessed Maheswari Group taking the top honour. Swarnalekha Group secured second place, followed by Bajania Group in third position.

Students who participated in the programme expressed happiness over the opportunity, describing the competitions as both memorable and enriching. The event allowed them to gain valuable experience while presenting their talents before an audience.

The cultural programme served as an important platform for encouraging emerging artists, preserving traditional folk expressions and strengthening community participation. It also reinforced the message that an empowered, culturally connected and drug-free younger generation is essential for building a developed India.