Bhubaneswar: Emphasising on the need of Odia identity going global, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday called upon the State leadership and intelligentsia to hit upon innovative ideas so as to take the Odia (Odisha) identity on to the world stage
In this regard, the Prime Minister proposes declaring a Bali Jatra Day and promote it on international platforms. In the same vein, Modi calls for declaring Odissi day to celebrate one of India’s aesthetic classical dance form.
“We need to take many innovative steps to make Odisha’s identity known globally. For instance, we can declare a Bali Jatra Day and promote it on international platforms. Similarly, we can initiate an Odissi Day to celebrate the classical Odissi dance form,” said PM in his address.
The PM also moots for holding tribal heritage events in schools and colleges to celebrate the tribal culture and heritage, which in turn will give a boost to employment and small industries in the tribal hinterlands of the State.
“New traditions can be started to celebrate various tribal heritages, including organizing special events in schools and colleges. This will raise awareness, create opportunities in tourism and small industries,” he emphasized.
WHAT IS IN PM MODI'S MIND?
Earlier, for the first time, coinciding with India’s Act East Policy completing a decade this year, High Commissioners and Heads of Mission of 14 countries and their spouses as well as a number of other diplomats attended the Bali Jatra Cuttack Utsav 2024.
This marks the first step of the festival attaining an international profile this year with the participation from ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Pacific Island countries, including the performances of their visiting cultural troupes during the entire week.
Bali Jatra (means Voyage to Bali) celebrates the rich maritime history of Odisha and commemorates India’s historical and civilisational links with Southeast Asia and wider Indo-Pacific that have evolved through the maritime journeys undertaken by the Indian seafarers over thousands of years.
What the Prime Minister saying here is Odisha leadership need to declare Bali Jatra day and celebrate the same in the countries of ASEAN, BIMSTEC – with which the Sadhavas (sea traders) from Odisha have maritime trade relationship. (See the map below).
The rationale behind PM Modi’s Bali Jatra Day has been to tap investments and trade from the ASEAN countries into Odisha.
As per data available with Union government, ASEAN (the group comprises of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) as a group has a share of about 11% in India’s global trade. The bilateral trade in 2023-24 was USD 121 Bn and reached USD 73 Bn during April-October 2024 with a 5.2% growth. Moreover, Singapore has the largest share of FDI in India, it is followed by US.
The ASEAN countries major imports from India are in the sectors of : Chemicals, Jewelry including silver bars and gold, Machinery and parts, Parts and accessories of vehicles, Fresh aquatic animals, chilled, frozen, processed and instant, Electrical machinery and parts, Medicinal and pharmaceutical products, Coffee, tea and spices, other metal ores, metal waste scrap, and products, Vegetables and vegetable products, Iron, steel and products, Yarn and fibers, Fabrics, Metal manufactures and Fertilizer and pesticide., etc.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ODISHA
By celebrating Bali Jatra day in ASEAN countries and elsewhere, in order to revive the centuries old trade ties, the State can have an export market for its fresh aquatic animals – chilled, frozen, processed; Coffee and spices, besides the traditional sectors like metal ores, metal waste scrap, and products; Iron and steel products et al. Moreover, Odisha can also draw FDI in infrastructure from ASEAN countries.
