The Tokyo Olympics witnessed a phenomenal performance by Indian players. Among all the record-breaking accomplishments, the game of the Indian Hockey Team was undoubtedly remarkable. After 41 years, the Indian hockey team staged up to the semi-finals. Although the women team nailed the scoreboard in the 4th position, Men’s Hockey clinched the Bronze, thus stuffing every Indian heart with pride.
In 2018, when Sahara backed out from sponsoring Indian Hockey, Odisha Government emerged as a supporting source of men’s and women’s Indian Hockey teams. Naveen Pattnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, while signing the deal, expressed that, Hockey is a way of life in his state. The CM conveyed that in Odisha, children learn to walk using a hockey stick.
Though Odisha is not counted amongst the affluent of states, it never steps back in preserving the things of paramount importance. Odia cuisine sets the perfect example that despite all the evolution in food culture, ultimate satisfaction lies in Pakhala or Rice Water. Pakhala also broke the limelight in 2021, when Kishwar Chowdhury garnered the dish in MasterChef Australia- Season 13.
Pakhala constitutes of cooked rice, soaked or slightly fermented in water. The transparent liquid portion is better known as Torani. The exotic dish is served with mashed potatoes, papad, a sundry of bhajas, including local fish fries and saga bhaja. Throughout the state, the version of Pakhala keeps on changing, however, the feeling is mutual.
Odisha, as a state has developed a lot, but the way it safeguards the simple essence of life makes it exceptional. Today Indian Hockey has unfastened a plethora of opportunities for the future of the country, and Odisha vows to be its ultimate pillar of support.