Governor K Rosaiah paid rich tributes to eminent  Oriya personalities, released a souvenir and honoured eminent personalities at a function organised by the Utkal Association of Madras to mark the 78th Utkal Dibas – Odisha Foundation Day, here recently.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said it was a day to offer rich tributes to the visionary leaders of Odisha like Utkal Gourab Sri Madhusudan Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Sri Pandit Neelakantha Das, Sri Gopabandhu Das and others who fought relentlessly to form a politically separate State.

“Celebrations like these emphasise the need to recognise the States’ own culture while ushering in an era of modernity,” he said.

Waxing eloquent on India’s rich culture and heritage, he said the country was multifarious in culture, multi-lingual and multi-religious. “Culture is the matrix of civilisation. Unity in diversity is the hallmark of India.  The crown and glory of India is its people living in harmony.”

Pointing to the cultural and civilisational links between Tamil Nadu and Odisha over the ages, the Governor said the Cholas had left behind a lasting legacy in both the States by their marriage with the Ganga dynasty and the resultant Chodaganga dynasty in the Odisha region, which flourished under their rule.

Odisha maintained her political vigour with successive ruling dynasties and achieved a distinction of her own, within the wider intricacies of Indian civilisation.

“For centuries, Tamil Nadu has been welcoming people from all States with folded hands. For the people of Odisha, Tamil Nadu has been a special attractive place for several reasons. Both the States share a rich cultural heritage with a history, that dates back to 5,000 years,” pointed out Rosaiah.

“Tamil Nadu is home to two lakh families from Odisha,  who have integrated into the mainstream of their adopted land, even while preserving their own unique culture and identity,” he said.