Report by Kahnu Nanda, Paradip: Kalinga Baliyatra is the reminder of the State’s traditional maritime glory and rich culture, Inaugurating the historic fair at Biju Maidan near the sea beach in Paradip on Thursday evening, state tourism and culture minister Ashok Panda said Kalinga Baliyatra is the symbol of age-old traditional, cultural and economic relationship with Indonesia, Bali, Sumatra and Java , the event is linked to Odisha’s rich maritime past, It also symbolizes the courage of Odia Sadhavas ( Sea Traders), Minister Panda said.
Attending the event as chief guest state health Minister Pratap Jena said that Paradip port has since emerged as one of the leading ports of the country with excellent cargo handling and business track record, it is fast emerging as a bustling industrial hub of the country. Late Odisha chief minister Biju Babu had deeply attached with Paradip and had gauged the states maritime capabilities, he had started Kalinga Baliyatra in Paradip in the year 1992 to revive the maritime glory of Odisha, minister Jena lauded the efforts of the organizers for retaining the glory by organizing such grand festival.
The collector cum Baliyatra committee chairperson Yamini Sarangi chaired the inaugural function attended by MP Kulamani Samal, Paradip MLA Damodar Rout, Balikuda- Erasama MLA Prasant Mudli, Mahakalapada MLA Atanu Sabyasachi, ZP president Priyadarshini Biswal ,Paradip Municipality Chairman Basanta Kumar Biswal , ADM Para dip Kanhu charan Dhir read the inaugural speech.
The weeklong festival will continue till November 28, organizer sources said that more than 800 stalls have been set up at the fair ground which will also host Pallishree Mela. The festival has provided a platform to hundreds of rural artisans from across the state and country to market their crafts, from the inaugural day onwards the kiosks are drawing huge crowds, we expect the visiting traders to make brisk business this year, informed Paradip municipality chairman Basant Kumar Biswal.
Moreover this year a wheel from Lord Jagannath chariot Nandighosa has been brought to BaliYatra exhibiting public, attempt has been taken making the fair polythin free and displaying stall names in Odia language, said Para dip ADM Kanhu Charan Dhir.
Meanwhile police administration have taken elaborate arrangements making flawless traffic control endeavor, crowd management. CCTVs have been installed at several locations to keep watch on any untoward incident and tracking antisocial, furthermore several steps have been taken making the week-long festival incident free, said Jagatsinghpur district superintendent of police Prakash R.
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