THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
VARANASI/BHUBANESWAR, AUG 23, 2026
The Odia Diaspora Meet, organised as part of Odisha Parab
2026 in Varanasi, brought together members of the Odia community, cultural
personalities, professionals, academics and entrepreneurs, reaffirming the
enduring cultural bond between Odisha and the holy city and opening new avenues
for social and economic engagement with the state.
The meet was attended by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati
Parida as the chief guest, while Uttar Pradesh Minister for Labour and
Employment and Coordination Anil Rajbhar, Dr Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Secretary,
Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha,
Padma Shri Sribhas Chandra Supakar, Prof Gopabandhu Mishra, President, Varanasi
Odia Samaj, and Prateek Hira, Chairperson, FICCI UP Tourism Committee, were
present as guests of honour.
The gathering provided a vibrant platform for the Odia
diaspora to reconnect with the state's rich cultural heritage while exploring
opportunities to contribute to Odisha's social, economic and developmental
journey.
The second day of Odisha Parab 2026 also witnessed Tourism
Investor and Business-to-Government (B2G) interactions, bringing together
government representatives, investors and industry stakeholders to explore
collaboration and investment opportunities in Odisha's tourism sector.
A dedicated Tourism Roadshow showcased Odisha's diverse
tourism potential, highlighting 15 master destinations, including Puri, Konark,
Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Lalitgiri, Hirakud, Chilika, Bhitarkanika and Similipal.
The roadshow highlighted investment opportunities across
eco-tourism, wildlife, adventure and experiential tourism, besides showcasing
Odisha's considerable potential in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and
Exhibitions (MICE) segment and the incentive structure available for tourism
investments.
The event reflected the broader aspirations of Odisha Vision 2036 and Odisha Vision 2047, with tourism being positioned as a key driver of a prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and globally recognised Odisha.
Odisha Parab 2026 is being held from August 22 to 24 at the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul – Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum in Varanasi under the theme “Faith • Culture • Cuisine • Crafts”, celebrating Odisha's distinctive cultural identity while strengthening its links with communities and stakeholders beyond the state.
