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Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Call for global promotion of Odia culture
Bhubaneswar: Following the recent unveiling of the Odisha Vision document, Odias living abroad have suggested that the state enhance promotion of heritage, tribal, temple and nature tourism to attract more international visitors. "Odisha Tourism should partner with foreign agencies to promote such tourism," said Akshaya Mahanty, a businessman from Rhode Island, US. They proposed leveraging Odias living in cities like London, New York, Bali, Bangkok, Sydney and Singapore to promote Odisha's culture and art forms. "Partnering with Indian embassies and diaspora communities can help identify and engage global influencers to authentically promote Rath Yatra, Bali Yatra, Dhanu Yatra and Khandagiri Mela abroad," said Saurav Choudhury, an IT professional in North Carolina, US. The Odia diaspora advocated for positioning the festivals as immersive cultural experiences rather than solely religious events. "Digital campaigns and documentaries on social media and OTT platforms, experiences through different apps will give foreigners a taste of our festivals before they visit," said Gayatri Panigrahi, a homemaker from the UK. They also recommended curated tourism packages, cultural camps and inviting foreigners to do crash courses in Odissi during winter months as well as yoga classes and beach huts to promote Odisha. "Safe and dedicated walking and bicycle lanes, particularly from Bhubaneswar to Puri, would attract European tourists, who enjoy walking and cycling," said Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, environment programme coordinator, UN Centre for Regional Development. He further suggested the govt should explore the possibility of getting all significant festivals recognised by Unesco as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage', which would add to their prestige and draw international attention. Aditya Singh, a UK-based doctor, said important dates related to Rath Yatra, Bali Yatra, Dhanu Yatra and Khandagiri Mela should be announced well in advance for foreign tourists to plan their visits. "A small premium may be charged from people for VIP access to the festivals. Good quality accommodation and buses with guides should be arranged," he added.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State eyes big role of Odias living abroad in realising devpt vision
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: In a bid to turn Odisha into a developed state by its centenary year in 2036, the state govt is seeking to harness the contributions and remittances of Odias living abroad. Vision Odisha 2036 and 2047 document outlines a strategic plan to engage the global Odia community as partners in progress, aiming for a remittance-led prosperity and a robust growth engine. State govt envisions transforming remittance flows into long-term assets that benefit both migrant families and communities in the state. By building financial pathways, Odisha aims to empower global citizens to invest, co-own and give back with confidence and pride. The plan includes targeted efforts to unlock foreign direct investment, diaspora inflows and cooperative capital at the grassroots level. To foster cultural and economic ties, the govt plans to develop Asmita Bhawans in Indian metros and international cities with significant Odia diaspora presence. These centres will serve as cultural outreach platforms, promoting Odia literature, cuisine, festivals and heritage diplomacy. Additionally, the O-Sampark Policy will be operationalised as a formal institutional mechanism to engage over 1 million global Odias through structured diaspora networks, annual summits, Odia Parbas and digital heritage platforms. The state aims to harness local and global talent through targeted initiatives, including attracting Odias abroad with fiscal and non-fiscal incentives such as tax exemptions, subsidised land and grants. A dedicated NRO business facilitation cell will provide one-stop support for legal, financial and operational queries. Annual global summits will be organised to foster connections, highlight investment opportunities and share success stories. The ambitious plan has elicited mixed responses from the Odia diaspora. Dilip Ratha, lead economist (migration and remittances) at World Bank, praised the initiative, emphasising the potential of the diaspora to complement investment efforts in Odisha. "It's important to create a conducive environment to attract the skills and goodwill of diaspora members," he said. Saurav Choudhury, an IT professional in North Carolina, expressed eagerness among Odias abroad to contribute to their homeland but noted the lack of clear channels and structured opportunities. He suggested the diaspora could play a significant role as policy advisers to help co-design investment, education and tourism policies. Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, environment programme coordinator, UN Centre for Regional Development, emphasised the potential of remittances to benefit local economies and suggested directing funds towards community development programmes, skill-building initiatives and local entrepreneurship. Dubai-based Priyadarshi Panigrahi highlighted the unique blend of global exposure and emotional connection that Odias abroad bring. He suggested that they could act as ambassadors for the state in areas such as tech-enabled services, tourism and agri-processing.
