After being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, eminent sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra while speaking to The Pioneer said, “I give all the credit to lord Jagannath as my dream to build a second Konark Temple comes closer. It is not me; it is lord Jagannath who has done this wonder for me.”
Mohapatra said he had recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pleaded for his help for making a second Konark temple in view of the existing heritage structure’s fast decaying state.
When asked about his priorities as Rajya Sabha MP, he stressed upon highlighting the glory and development of art and culture.
“In the land of art and culture, why are our artisans and artists are going to work outside the StateIJ My endevours will be to work on this,” he added.
Mohapatra further informed that politics has never been his forte but for sure as a MP he would contribute for the Jagannath culture and State's art and culture.
On a question on how he will contribute for the development of underdeveloped State like Odisha, he argued that in the land of lord Jagannath nobody would remain poor.
Raghunath has already purchased land near Sakhigopal for his second Konark temple project. He said he has already discussed about the project with the Prime Minister.
It is to be noted that BJP president Amit Shah during his visit to Odiaha on July 1, had called on Mohapatra to apprise him of the achievements of the four years of the Modi Government.
Sonal Mansingh in her reaction echoed the same sentiment like Mohapatra. She said she would do her best for development of art and culture.