New Delhi, March 18, 2026: The three-day Odia cultural event Odisha Parba, held from March 13–15 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, emerged as a confluence of culture, cuisines and a collection of dialogues. The entire festival witnessed a total of six sessions exploring the state’s rich traditions and its aspirations for economic progress and global relevance.
The inaugural session, “Dharma Odisha”, chaired by Dr. Sanat Sujatananda Maharaj, renowned scholar in Ayurveda and Indology, explored Odisha’s pluralistic spiritual landscape, which has historically been shaped by the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and indigenous tribal belief systems. Speakers Sunil Kumar Patnaik, archaeologist and maritime historian; Raghunath Meher, illustrious scholar, critic and renowned author; and Pandit Mahesh Kumar Sahu, spiritual guru and learned scholar, reflected on the enduring philosophical and cultural significance of the Jagannath tradition, the historical depth of Buddhism and the social reform movements such as Mahima Dharma led by Bhima Bhoi. The session highlighted how spiritual inclusivity and ecological wisdom continue to shape Odisha’s collective identity and social harmony, making it a model for cultural coexistence.
The “Swaad Odisha” session, chaired by Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Chef of ITC Hotels and Welcome Hotels, focused on Odisha’s culinary heritage as a unique blend of temple traditions, tribal food practices and coastal flavours. Discussions emphasized the need to systematically document, brand and promote Odia cuisine at national and global levels. Masterchef India Season 6 finalist & food blogger Smrutishree Singh and Principal Scientist in ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar Dr. Pramod Kumar Panda, addressed the challenges of positioning regional cuisine in competitive markets, while also highlighting its potential to generate livelihoods and strengthen cultural identity. The session underscored that food can act as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and economic growth.
“Odisha’s cuisine offers world-leading health benefits, featuring fermented rice with a record-low 35 glycaemic index. Traditional techniques, such as coloring Rasagulla through natural sugar caramelization, highlight the region’s unique and environmentally safe seasoning methods. Despite these advantages, global expansion is hindered by a lack of entrepreneurship, financial support and an underlying inferiority complex.”, said Dr Pramod Kumar Panda.
On the second day, “Nabachetana Odisha”, chaired by Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasny, Director – CSIR National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, examined the evolving narrative of a modern and forward-looking Odisha. Speakers at the session were Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, Joint Secretary and Additional Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Defence; Meera Mohanty- IAS officer; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence Production, Government of India; Prabir Dash, Scientist and Sandeep Tripathy, Creative technologist. The session explored opportunities in MSME development, defence manufacturing, renewable energy transition and the role of technology in driving economic transformation. Speakers highlighted the importance of diversifying income sources through alternative livelihoods, promoting the orange economy and leveraging innovation to align with Odisha’s long-term vision for 2036 and 2047. The session reinforced that sustainable development must integrate traditional strengths with emerging sectors.
“Odisha is evolving from a raw material hub into India’s “strategic shield” by utilizing its mineral wealth for advanced precision engineering and defense manufacturing. The state’s unique vertical integration — linking mines and refineries with a robust logistics network—creates a complete industrial ecosystem. Exclusive testing infrastructures at Chandipur and Gopalpur provide a significant competitive edge for private industries and MSMEs that other states cannot match”, said Meera Mohanty.
The “Bhasha Odisha” session, chaired by Prof. Ramanujam Meghanathan, Professor of English (Language Education) at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), addressed the importance of language in preserving cultural identity and shaping educational outcomes. In the context of the National Education Policy 2020, discussions focused on promoting mother tongue education, safeguarding tribal languages and strengthening Odia literature. Speakers Dr. Arabinda Ray, Odia writer, scholar and literary personality and Dr. Basant Panda, renowned educationist, essayist, critic and translator, highlighted challenges such as declining usage, lack of resources and the need to integrate technology for language preservation.
The session emphasized that linguistic diversity is central to knowledge systems, cultural continuity and inclusive development.
Prof. Ramanujam Meghanathan, said, “The National Education Policy 2020 promotes linguistic inclusivity by developing primers in 121 languages, ensuring children, particularly from tribal communities, can begin their education in their native tongues. Odisha serves as a pioneering national model for multilingual education, directly addressing the communication barriers that frequently cause students to drop out when they cannot understand the language of instruction. To ensure the language’s survival, there is a critical need to move beyond mere glorification by integrating Odia into science, technology, and public signage while maintaining it as the primary medium of instruction.”
On the final day, “Hasta Shilpa Odisha”, chaired by Charudutta Panigrahi, a prominent author and public policy thinker and founder of the Foundation for Integrated Development and Research (FIDR), highlighted the significance of handloom and handicrafts as both cultural expressions and economic drivers. Discussions focused on enhancing market access, branding traditional crafts and encouraging innovation while preserving authenticity. Speakers at the session were Swayam Prava Pani, Additional Development Commissioner (Director level) in the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Government of India and Prabhas Singh, a renowned scholar and academician. Speakers stressed the role of government initiatives and private sector participation in strengthening artisan livelihoods and ensuring the sustainability of these sectors. The session showcased how traditional industries can contribute meaningfully to economic resilience.
The concluding session, “Aitihya Odisha”, chaired by Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy, retired professor and former member of the Lok Sabha from the Bargarh constituency in the state of Odisha, centered on the preservation and promotion of Odisha’s intangible heritage, including its classical dance, music, festivals and tribal traditions. Speakers Prof. Chandi Prasad Nanda, Director of the Odisha Research Centre; Sangita Panda, an eminent Odishi and Hindustani classical vocalist; Suchismita Mantri and Deepak Kumar Panda, a renowned historian, researcher and author, discussed the need for systematic documentation, research and intergenerational knowledge transfer, along with leveraging cultural assets to enhance Odisha’s soft power on the global stage. The session highlighted that safeguarding intangible heritage is essential not only for cultural continuity but also for building a strong international cultural identity.
“Odisha is launching a comprehensive initiative to systematically document its tangible heritage, surveying temples and monuments across all borders to preserve a complete historical record beyond well-known coastal sites. The state’s intangible heritage—described as its cultural “DNA” — must be revitalized by practicing traditions at home and increasing archaeological excavations in under-explored regions. To achieve global recognition, Odisha’s identity must be popularized through translations of local works and modern content creation, such as reels and regional cinema, to transform cultural pride into a collective responsibility”, said Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy.
Overall, the three-day dialogue successfully connected Odisha’s civilisational roots with its aspirations for economic self-reliance and inclusive growth. By integrating tradition with innovation, the event reinforced Odisha’s vision of becoming a culturally vibrant and economically empowered state, contributing meaningfully to India’s broader development narrative.
