Non-resident Odias have come forward to help develop the State in all respects so that every Odia would feel proud to identify himself as an Odia.
Nearly two crore Odias are living outside the State in India while millions of Odias live in developed nations like England, Australia America, Canada, Middle East countries and South Africa. By virtue of their dedication and hard work they have excelled in various fields and carved out niches in those countries while many have settled there permanently, said Odisha Without Border (OWB) State chapter coordinator Krushna Chandra Nayak to reporters here.
The OWB has been formed in association with most of the regional Odia associations functioning in various States and abroad. The OWB executive body has resolved to extend their members’ expertise and finance to help boost the State’s economy, infrastructure, environment and conduct research on the Jagannath cult, said OWB secretary general Pranab Kishore Pani.
A two-day conclave of the OWB would be organised in Bhubaneswar on August 9 and 10, in which aver a thousand delegates from across the country and abroad would participate, said Nayak.
The conclave is being held in the State to understand the ground realities and shortcomings which need to be addressed, said OWB national convenor Khirod Chandra Jena.
He said the OWB aims to project Odias as an outstanding race in the world by developing their socioeconomic and cultural standards so that they would feel proud to identify themselves as Odias. For that, the OWB would channelise flow of huge funds for various infrastructure development projects in the State to ensure preservation of its natural environment and ecology besides socio-cultural development.
A souvenir would be published on the occasion. Among others, Mumbai Odia Association president Bipin Mishra, Bisakahapatana Odia Association president Jitendra Kumar Nayak and OWB president Suryaprakash Mahapatra would address the delegates, informed conclave convenor Krushna Chandra Nayak.