Bhubaneswar, Jan. 7: The ongoing youth festival Gloryfest and preparations of the upcoming International Puri Beach Festival have drawn crowds in the pilgrim city.
Youngsters from over 10 states have gathered here to compete in the talent hunt and pageant show at Gloryfest, while organisers of the beach festival are busy with arrangements for the cultural events, water sports and so on.
Both festivals are in their 21st year this time. The ongoing Gloryfest, that has become a popular interactive event for college students of the country, started on Tuesday and features events such as drama competition, quiz, dance and various other contests. Over 50 girls from all over the country are taking part in the pageant contest for the Gloryfest Queen title that is a talent hunt for girls with both beauty and brains.
"I have been coming here since the past two years, and I enjoy making friends here and learning about the cultures of other states as there are rounds based on folk dance," said Arpita Tunga, a student from Dhenkanal Government College.
Over 20 colleges from all over the country have taken part in the event, including institutes from Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pardesh and Maharashtra along with those from various districts of the state.
The competition will conclude on Saturday, said Rajesh Mohanty, the organiser. The event being held along the golden sand beach.
Another event that draws people from across the country and tourists from all over the world to Puri is the annual beach festival. This year, the event will commence on January 20. The five-day festival will feature cultural programmes such as classical and contemporary dance repertoires by artistes from various parts of India and countries such as Russia, Canada, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Singers such as Aishwarya Nigam, Priyanka Vaidya and Rimi Dhar will also perform at the festival. Many handloom and handicraft kiosks set up by the state government's Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society. Besides, the National Handloom Development Corporation will also be present along the Puri beach as part of the festival.
"Apart from the attractions, the event will also include beach activities and sports such as boat racing, beach volley ball and so on," said Rama Krushna Das Mohapatra, president of the festival's organising committee.
