The Gopalpur Beach Festival, which was held at Gopalpur from December 24, concluded on Sunday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attending as the chief guest on the occasion said the beach festival at Gopalpur has assumed a special place among other beach festivals of the State. “The heritage and tradition of Ganjam district has a place in the culture map of India. Similarly, the sea beach here has an important place in the tourism map,” Patnaik said.
Among others, Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, Woman and Child Development Minister Usha Devi, Urban Development Minister Puspedra Singhdeo, MlAs Srikant Sahu, Purna Chandra Swain, Nandini Devi, Purna Chandra Sethi and Brahmapur Mayor K Madhavi were present.
Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik had put up an attractive sand art on Olive Ridley seat turtles on the occasion. Cultural programmes were organised by artists from Sambalpur, Puri, Koraput and Ganjam districts.