August 18th 2024.
Rourkela Steel Plant has recently unveiled its newly renovated flagship auditorium, equipped with top-of-the-line facilities. The grand opening ceremony took place on August 15, which also marks India's Independence Day. The event was graced by the presence of Atanu Bhowmick, the Director in charge of the esteemed steel company.
Interestingly, the newly revamped auditorium was originally a cinema hall known as 'Leela Talkies' back in the 1960s. However, when it shut down towards the end of the decade, RSP saw an opportunity to convert it into an auditorium. This idea was proposed by RB Singhdeo, an officer of social welfare and a member of the renowned Kuanrmunda Estate family. The proposal was then approved by RP Sinha, who was the general manager at the time. The Civic Centre, as it is now known, was inaugurated with the first play 'Trushna', dedicated to the late Singhdeo who had passed away suddenly due to a heart attack.
Since then, the Civic Centre has been a cultural hub for the city of Rourkela, hosting a variety of events and performances. Over the years, it has welcomed esteemed guests such as the country's Presidents and Chief Ministers, as well as renowned artists like Utpal Dutt, Sanjukta Panigrahi, and the late Yamini Krishnamurthy. It has also been a stage for magicians like PC Sarkar Sr.
Uma Bishoi, the director and a stage crafts expert, proudly stated that the Civic Centre has hosted over a thousand plays, showcasing the rich and diverse cultural atmosphere of Rourkela. Another theatre activist, Sarat Das, likened the Civic Centre to a holy land, a sacred place for performers like himself. To celebrate the reopening of the renovated facility, RSP organized the 'Samman Samaroh-2024', a special award ceremony honoring various departments, employees, students, and sports persons for their outstanding achievements. In addition, twelve former employees who joined RSP in 1960 were presented with the 'Ispat Bindhani Samman' for their invaluable contributions to the plant.
During the ceremony, Bhowmick expressed his vision for the newly upgraded Civic Centre, stating that it aims to become one of the best socio-cultural centers in the state. He believes that this iconic building, with its rich history, will continue to enrich the lives of the people of Rourkela by providing a space for creativity, learning, and unity. The previous renovation of the Civic Centre took place in 2005 under the leadership of Sanak Mishra, the then Managing Director of RSP. And now, after another major transformation, the auditorium boasts a wooden-floored stage, refurbished greenrooms, advanced lighting and acoustics, fire protection, a control room, and a cyclorama screen with projector facilities, all complemented by stylish interiors.
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