PARADIP: Balijatra is an emotion that connects the hearts of every Odia with timeless skill, exploration, culture, and human enterprise, said Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati here on Monday.
Attending the concluding day of Kalinga Balijatra festival as the chief guest, Kambhampati praised the ‘Sadhabas’ who travelled on sea routes with courage not only for trade and commerce but also to promote goodwill with other countries. He said the festival symbolises the age-old traditional, cultural and economic ties of Odisha with Indonesia, Bali, Sumatra and Java. “It reminds us of the state’s maritime glory and rich culture, as well as the courage and enterprise of Odia traders.”
The Governor further said the world is entering a new maritime age where oceans are becoming highways for the global economy, energy and sustainable growth. “Paradip has become the pride of Odisha’s coastline, embodying global maritime progress. With its strategic coastline, skilled people and navigational heritage, Odisha is well-positioned to emerge as a maritime frontier,” he added.
He noted that this year’s Balijatra embodied sustainable practices, showcased maritime heritage exhibitions and celebrated innovation, tradition, history and technology.
Minister for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain emphasised Odisha’s rich maritime and cultural heritage, calling for continued efforts to revive the state’s glorious past. He also highlighted various projects which are being implemented for the development of Paradip Port at a cost of Rs 1.45 lakh crore through the joint efforts of the Centre and the state government.
Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, collector J Sonal, DIG (Central Range) Satyajit Nayak and SP Ankit Kumar Verma also addressed the gathering.
This year’s Kalinga Balijatra featured over 1,000 stalls including the Pallishree Mela organised by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). The Pallishree Mela showcased products from self-help groups and industrial houses, with 150 stalls representing various districts of Odisha and other states.