Jharsuguda: Oct 9 [UDN}:The district-level Nuakhai Bhetghat was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Garlakhai in Jharsuguda district under the initiative of the Dudh Khadia Samaj Mahasangh, Jharsuguda. The event brought together members of the Dudh Khadia tribal community from Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur and other areas to celebrate their shared culture, traditions and community bonds.
Patras Dhanwar attended the programme as the chief guest. Phulchand Khadia, Dhananjay Barla, Raju Khadia, Sisho Dungdung, Mohan Khadia and other dignitaries attended as guests of honour. Dudh Khadia Samaj Mahasangh Jharsuguda president Mukunda Khadia, vice-president Nirmal Khadia, Kadamdihi Gudi president Sanatan Khadia and secretary Lalji Khadia were also present. The programme was conducted by Srikanta Khadia, Miss Sunanda Khadia and Miss Sandhya Khadia.
More than 4,500 men and women from the Dudh Khadia community from Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur and other regions participated in the Nuakhai Bhetghat. The gathering showcased the community’s rich cultural heritage through traditional songs, dances and rituals.
As part of the celebrations, members representing the nine Khadia clans were ceremonially brought to the worship site in a procession accompanied by traditional dance and music. Traditional ancestral worship was performed according to Khadia customs, using Bhelua branches, Kurei leaves and Rengal leaves. The nine ancestral brothers associated with the community’s traditional rituals—Dungdung, Soreng, Tete, Kulu, Bilung, Kerketta, Kido, Bah and Taspo—were worshipped according to established customs.
Cultural performances were presented by various Khadia community groups from Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts, including groups from Hemgir, Rupabahal, Lakhedjharan, Talmunḍa, Mudelbahal, Chandini Mal, Sahaspur, Kadamdihi, Gaurmal, Garlakhai and Chuankani.
The Nuakhai Bhetghat also served as a platform for strengthening brotherhood and unity among the Khadia community across the three districts. Community members exchanged greetings, embraced one another, paid respect to elders with Juhar and received blessings from senior members.
During the programme, the All Odisha Dudh Khadia Samaj Vikas Parishad, Odisha honoured individuals who had devoted their time selflessly to strengthening the community organisation and bringing people together. Social service certificates were presented to community workers.
The Veer Shahid Telenga Khadia Samman was also conferred on Phulchand Khadia, Manoj Khadia, Mohan Khadia, Dhananjay Barla and Gaurang Khadia in recognition of their selfless contribution and commitment to the community, inspired by the legacy of Veer Shahid Telenga Khadia.
A special memorial honour was also presented to Smt. Chumki Khadia, wife of late social worker Akul Khadia, in recognition of the family’s contribution to society.
The awards and certificates were distributed through Patras Dhanwar, president of the All Odisha Dudh Khadia Samaj Vikas Parishad, and the president of the Dudh Khadia Samaj Mahasangh, Jharsuguda.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Sanju Khadia, bringing the colourful district-level Nuakhai Bhetghat to an end.
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