To uphold cultural and traditional bonding among people, the State Government has decided to launch ‘Ek Bharat Srtetha Bhrat Abhiyan in the State along the lines suggested by the Union Government.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the Secretariat here on Friday morning wherein Tourism Principal Secretary Gagan Kumar Dhal presented proposals for discussion.
As a part of East-West engagement matrix initiative, Odisha would undertake inter-cultural and inter-excellence exchanges with Maharashtra owing to a lot commonality between Marathi and Odia art and literature. Yearlong activities would be carried on. The Tourism Department would be nodal department for the Abhiyan.
The Abhiyan would have scope for showcasing rich cultural and tourism treasure of each State and renewing the traditional unity. There would also be inter-exchange of educational opportunities and agricultural practices between the two States.
Proposed activities include Ekta Carnival, Sanskruti Mahotsav, translation of five award winning books from Odia to Marathi and vice-versa, translation of 10 proverbs to each others’ language, cultural exchange programmes, culinary classes of Odia and Marathi dishes, study tour of university students, paring of tour operators to facilitate visits, exchange of agricultural practices, combined film festivals, literary and quiz competitions and exchange of NCC and NSS camps.
The Chief Secretary advised concerned departments to plan out specific activities along with the financial estimates.
Finance Principal Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Higher Education Principal Secretary GVV Sharma, Culture Seretary Manoranjan Panigrahi, Information and Public Relations Secretary Surendra Kumar and Tourism Director Nitin Bhanudas Jawale participated in the discussion.