Union Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan celebrated ‘Pakhala Dibasa’ by eating Pakhala with his friends at his official residence in New Delhi today. Among the esteemed guests were Rajya Sabha Vice-Chairman Harivansha Narayan Singh, former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Siddhu, and ASI Director General Prof Kishore Kumar Basa, who joined Pradhan in relishing the traditional Odia dish.

The Union Minister expressed happiness and conveyed his wishes to them. “Savouring Pakhala with friends and family doubles the joy. Grateful to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansha Narayan Singh, Professor Kishor Basa ji and former diplomat Shri Taranjit Singh Siddhu for joining me at lunch to celebrate Pakhala Dibasa. One of the favourite foods of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Pakhala is not just a soul food but an integral part of Odisha’s cultural identity and culinary heritage. Glad that more and more people are discovering the health benefits of this indigenous Odia delicacy and making it a part of their diet,” Pradhan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.