69th foundation day of Bhubaneswar observed

A series of programmes were today held to mark the 69th foundation day of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari inaugurated the three-day long ''Bhubaneswar Mahostav'' begining today.
"The city has now been accorded the smart city tag. We should all work for the upkeep of the city by creating a pollution free atmosphere," Pujari said after taking salute at a civilian parade held in front of Legislative Assembly.
Thirteen persons, who have achieved success in various fields, were felicitated during the programme.
Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, State School & Mass Education Minister Debi Mishra, Culture Minister Ashok Panda, Forest & Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Aarukh, Commerce & Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, MLA Priyadarsi Mishra and former MLA Suresh Routray were present on the occasion.

Students from various schools and colleges participated in the civilian parade.
The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, had laid the foundation of Bhubaneswar on April 13, 1948. AT that time, the city's master plan was designed for 50,000 people by a German architect and urban planner Otto Koenigsberger.