#OdishaDay, also known as #UtkalaDivas, is celebrated every year on the 1st of April.

The day is remembered for the formation of the #state of #Odisha as a separate #province.

Odisha got its own identity as a separate state in the year 1936, after disassociating itself from Bihar and Bengal. It is believed that the struggle to regain Odisha’s lost identity was initiated by #Utkala #Sammilani. After branching out as a separate state, Odisha comprised only six districts. Today, the state boasts of 30 districts.

History beckons that the present-day Odisha used to form a major portion of the ancient #Kalinga. The region witnessed the epic “Kalinga War” led by King Ashoka who invaded and conquered the region in 260 BC. Later, the state was invaded and taken over by the Mughals till the British took over the administrative powers of the region and divided it into small units in 1803.

The western and northern districts became a part of the state of Bengal while the coastal region formed the basis of Bihar and Odisha (then known as #Orissa). After decades of struggle under the leadership of Odisha’s eminent leaders, the new province came into existence on the 1st of April 1936. The state saw another facelift, now in terms of its name being changed from Orissa to Odisha.