Seminar on Our Food and Our Culture held at PM SHREE Uttangara High School in Jajpur

BY DIRAMAKINI

A SEMINAR on 'Our Food & Our Culture' with a special focus on building a plastic-free world was held recently at PM SHREE Uttangara High School in Binjharpur Block, Jajpur district.

The program was organized jointly by the National Green Corps and The Shakti Club as part of the concluding phase of Environment Protection Week.

The event began with the lighting of the Diya and floral tributes at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath. Sanskrit teacher Dr. Sushant Kumar Mishra recited Vedic verses to invoke blessings.

Saroj Kumar Jena, Eco Club Coordinator, welcomed the guests and moderated the discussion. The session was presided over by Headmaster Suresh Chandra Ojha.

Speaking on the occasion,Dr. Shantanu Kumar Nayak, Ex-Principal of Regional Higher Secondary School and Economics Lecturer, highlighted the importance of Odia culture and the need to avoid toxic food.

Dr. Dipanjali Sahu, Head of the History Department at Sadhu Gaudeswar College, spoke on food safety and shared historical insights on the use of 'Vishakanyas' by royalty to destabilize societies.

Dr. Chinmaya Dash, Counselor at Odisha State Open University and Founder of Chinmaya Foundation, discussed the link between local soil magnetism, food production, and how Vedic principles connect individual temperament with food culture and safety.

Teachers including Sumit Kumar Sahu, Rakesh Kumar Nayak, Jagannath Banara, Prahallad Das, Sasmita Sahu, Archana Sahu, Maheswari Das, Dharitri Behera, Srabani Raut, Bhagabat Sahu, Manas Kumar Mallick, and Atish Kumar Behera, along with all staff members, contributed to the success of the event.

The seminar concluded with a collective pledge to promote healthy food habits, preserve cultural traditions, and work towards a plastic-free environment.