Bhubaneswar, 17/03/2017: Puri, the religious capital of the country, was the venue for Beach Carnival Trade Fest 2017, organized under the aegis of the District Administration, Puri. This is the first time the trade and industrial prowess of Puri is on display at a festival. The trade fest was inaugurated on 17th March 2017 by Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Nalco and the Chairman of CII, Odisha State Council.

Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Dr Chand said “There must be greater emphasis on hotel, restaurant and tourism industry in Puri, which gives employment to thousands of people and local residents.” He also added that Puri can be promoted as a hub of education and training. “The tourist potential of the place can be leveraged to set-up managerial, technical and skill training institutes and programmes so that participant from across the country and the globe can be trained here and also benefit from its tourist attractions.” Puri’s pristine beaches can become recreation hotspots with focus and development of infrastructure for beach tourism, scuba diving, snorkeling, para-sailing, camps, windsurfing and other water sports, he informed.

Dr. Chand expressed that Puri district has several traditional livelihood which are practiced by a sizable population. Its arts, crafts and other traditional skills are well known. “Leveraging these traditional skills provides immense scope in nurturing a vibrant small and micro industries landscape which can merge seamlessly with the eco-system,” he added.

The Pattachitra and other handicraft traditions at Raghurajpur, appliqué work of Pipli, Coir products of Sakhigopal, Nimapara Chhena Jhili, Puri Khaja and agricultural products can boost the industrial activities of the district. Dr. Chand urged entrepreneurs, particularly micro, small and medium industries, to come up with plans and programmes to promote them since they can drive employment and increase the purchasing power of the people. Paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath, he asked the Puri temple Administration to consider tying up with e-commerce sites to make dry Mahaprasad of Puri temple as part of their culinary offerings so that it can reach the millions of devotees across the country.

Shri Maheswar Mohanty, MLA Puri presided over the function. Shri Jayant Ku Sarangi, Chairman, Puri Municipality was the Guest of Honour. Dr. Udhab Ch. Majhi, PD, DRDA, Shri Bibhuti Bhuyan Dash, ADM, Puri, Shri MadhuSudan Dash, Sub-Collector, Puri, Shri Stikant Tarai, Addl Project Director, DRDA and Shri Abhimanyu Behera, Enforcement Officer, Puri Municipality were also present.