Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has sought the State Government’s support for upgrading the Stone Sculpture Training Institute at Konark to international level while assuring all necessary support from the Centre.
“The State Government-run institute of stone sculpture needs to be upgraded to a skill institute of international standard. The Government of India will provide all necessary assistance. I urge for the State Government’s support. Once upgraded, the institute will help in upgrading the traditional sculpture skill and keeping alive Odisha’s ancient heritage by providing training. This will help in the survival of an exquisite cultural facet of the State expressed through the intricate carving on the stone,” Pradhan wrote to Chief Minister on Tuesday.
He too mentioned that the Indian Oil Corporation limited (IOCl) has made substantial investment in order to enhance tourist facilities at the Sun Temple in Konark, a Unesco-recognised site. Tourist facilities like parking bays and interpretation centres constructed by the company would contribute towards providing international standard tourist infrastructure for the benefit of tourists visiting the historic monument.