Odisha Society of America’s 46th convention ends

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 9:

The two-day long world Odia Convention, held concurrently with the 46th conference of Odisha Society of America (OSA)  were held from 1st July to 4th July in Washington D.C.

On the penultimate day of the convention, Odisha’s minister for Industries, School & Mass Education Debi Prasad Mishra attended the 46th OSA Convocation as chief guest.

“I appeal to all Odias living in United States to involve themselves in the affairs of their home state and share their achievements and experience for its development. The state government has initiated certain proactive policies and is committed to overall growth of the state,” Mishra said.

Nisha Desai Biswal, Asst. Secretary of the State Department, in her keynote address, described the present Indo-US relationship and congratulated non-resident Odias (NROs) for their contribution.

President OSA Tapan Padhee, Vice-President Sikhanda Satapathy, Convener Pratap Das and Guest of Honour and Minister Tourism & Culture Ashok Chandra Panda, and Padmashree Raghunath Mohapatra addressed the closing ceremony.

In the inaugural ceremony, Rajya Sabha MP Anubhaba Mohanty, MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, renowned sand artist Padmashree Sudarsan Patnaik were also felicitated by the OSA.

Renowned Odissi dancer Aruna Mohanty, Sujata Mohapatra and Meera Das presented Odissi dance in groups. Guru Ramahari Das, Dhaneswar Swain and his troupe performed Kachery Musical instrument. A Youth and Women convention was also held on the occasion.

On the opening day, World Odia conference was inaugurated by Guruji Chandrabhanu Satapathy. During the inaugfuration, Minister Devi Prasad Mishra outlined the spectacular growth rate and scope for rapid development in Odisha. In the technical session, he discussed at length the state government’s policies regarding Industries, IT, Biotechnology, Education, Tourism, Waste Materials Management and its disposal.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Tourism & Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda and renowned Scientist Padmashree Bhakta Rath also spoke at the inaugural development meeting on 1st July.

The functionaries of OSA and the delegation team led by Mishra discussed and exchanged views with the officials of State Department regarding the prospects of investment and collaboration in industries, disaster management, skill education and tourism prospect in Odisha. More than two thousand Odia residing in the United States participated in the Convention.