Odisha tourism gets a thumping endorsement from tycoons

BHUBANESWAR: The Make in Odisha (MIO) Conclave 2018 has given an unprecedented platform to thettourism sector, with leading industry captains lavishing praise on Odisha's art, crafts, culture and architecture.
Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla referred to the Baliyatra festival held on the banks of the Mahanadi, which commemorates the state's glorious maritime past, the Sun Temple in Konark and the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

"The Sun Temple and the Jagannath Temple reflect excellent project management and resource mobilization," Birla said. "I am here not just as an investor but as an admirer. The long-standing relationship of Aditya Birla Group with the state goes beyond the investments we have made here," he further said.

Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW Group who visited the Sun Temple for the first time with his wife on Sunday, urged other participants at the conclave to follow suit. "The Sun Temple is a beautiful heritage structure. I urge you to take time out to visit it," Jindal said.

Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani also gave a thumbs-up to Konark. "We should strive to make Odisha one of the most globalized places in the country. Together, we can create new wonders here that will match the wonders of the Sun Temple," Ambani said.

Kenji Hiramatsu, the ambassador of Japan to India, said Japanese tourists loved the rich culture of the state, especially Odissi, seafood, temple architecture and Buddhist tourism. Almost all corporate biggies, including Ambani, Tata Sons chairperson N Chandrasekaran, Vedanta Resources chairman Anil Agarwal and Jindal Steel and Power Limited chairman (JSPL) Naveen Jindal, invoked Lord Jagannath in their speeches. "Nothing happens here without His blessing," JSPL chairman Naveen Jindal said.