Bhubaneswar, Oct. 2: Social organisations and youth groups from across the state have come together for Daan Utsav that began today.

Students have joined hands with various organisations to spread the joy of giving by conducting events and activities at their respective institutes, while individuals are set to take part by donating money, clothes, indulging in simple acts of kindness or voluntarily sharing their time or knowledge. The event will continue till October 8.

Bakul Foundation celebrated the first day of Daan Utsav as National Day of Service in which volunteers visited orphanages, old-age homes and slums to spread smiles, joy and learning.

This year, the festivities were celebrated not only in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Sambalpur but also in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other cities. Daan Utsav, earlier known as the Joy of Giving Week, was launched in 2009. During the weeklong programme, people from various walks of life, including students, corporate houses and voluntary organisations, come together to conduct events to promote the act of giving.

Animated storytelling sessions were held at several orphanages. At the Bakul Library, about 60 children of the Madhurmayee Ashram for children of jail inmates played with clay and gave them shapes under the tutelage of sculptor Smrutikanta Rout. Mural artist Dibyush Jena led children and volunteers in painting the boundary wall of the institution. At Nilapadia Basti near Damana, dancer Harihar Dash and actress Anubha Sourya engaged more than 100 children.

At the Bakul Library in Cuttack, Odia film director Basanta Sahoo interacted with children after the screening of his film.

The event being held in 13 institutions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and in 13 cities of India is funded entirely by contributions of volunteers.

'Volunteers paid for the stationery, food and even to ferry the children to the library. People used to visit them with gifts items, but few used to engage with the children and conduct activities with them. Because of the day of service, many volunteers connected with these institutions regularly kept taking part in activities,' said Bakul Foundation founder Sujit Mahapatra.

Students of Utkal University, like last year, will collect food items such as cereals, pulses, spices, noodles, biscuits and chocolates from various departments and faculty members to distribute them among various special schools in the city.