OSUK Becomes the Only Registered Odisha Society in UK, Announces First-Ever Bali Yatra

Bhubaneswar, Odisha – In a landmark development, the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom (OSUK) has officially registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC), becoming the only formally recognized organisation under the name Odisha Society of United Kingdom in the UK. This milestone marks over four decades of commitment to serving the Odia diaspora while paving the way for new initiatives aimed at enhancing community engagement and cultural promotion.

During a recent meeting, OSUK announced key updates regarding its organisational framework, upcoming cultural events, and strategic plans tailored to the needs of the growing Odia population in the UK.

For more than 40 years, OSUK has played an essential role in preserving and promoting Odia culture and providing vital support during crises, such as natural disasters in Odisha. As the sole organisation registered under the name Odisha Society of United Kingdom (Reg. Number 15201747), OSUK reaffirms its commitment to uniting and supporting the Odia community across the UK.

At the recent meeting, OSUK emphasized the significance of its logo, which was registered as a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office under trademark number UK00004027129 in 2024. This logo symbolizes unity and identity within the community. The organisation also announced plans to enhance its digital platform to improve member accessibility and engagement.

A newly appointed Board of Directors will lead the organisation in expanding its operational team and redefining its vision to meet the evolving needs of the diaspora. The eight directors are:

1.Partha Sarathi Panda

2.Salil Kumar Das

3.Dr. Prakash Kumar Dey

4.Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak

5.Sasmita Rajhansha

6.Pravat Mishra

7.Dipti Mohanty

8.Srikanta Kumar Padhi

OSUK hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including:

•Annual Conventions featuring cultural performances, seminars, and networking opportunities.

•Workshops focused on Odia language, dance, and music.

•Fundraising Initiatives aimed at supporting educational and healthcare projects in Odisha.

In addition, OSUK is thrilled to announce its plan to host the Bali Yatra in the UK for the first time on November 30, 2024. This event will join other significant celebrations, including the Annual Convention and Utkala Dibasa. The society collaborates with various organisations to strengthen the cultural ties between Odisha and the UK. An updated event calendar showcasing these programs and community activities will be available on its website and social media platforms.

To increase its reach, OSUK is also planning to expand its regional chapters across the UK, with designated leaders for each chapter. A regulatory framework is being developed to facilitate this growth.

The leadership team further includes:

•Advisor: Dr. Nityananda Pattnaik

•Core Committee Members:

1.Subhakanta Das

2.Ashish Rajhans

3.Arihan Shina

4.Satya Sidharth

5.Sweta Mohanty

6.Sumant Mansingh

7.Sonali Panda

8.Ambika Padhy

As the only officially registered organisation under the name Odisha Society of United Kingdom, OSUK remains dedicated to promoting and preserving Odisha’s rich cultural heritage while fostering unity within the Odia diaspora in the UK.

For further information about OSUK and its upcoming initiatives, please visit our official website http://osuk.org.uk and social media platforms LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Threads.