Odisha Bags Prestigious IITF Award of Excellence For Display At The India International Trade Fair-2022

New Delhi: The Odisha Pavilion has been awarded with the prestigious “Special Appreciation Certificate for Excellence in Display” in the category of “State Government and Union Territory” at the 41st edition of India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2022 held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The trade fair which began on 14th November, 2022 concluded today. Indramani Tripathy, Director, I&PR, Govt. of Odisha and Subash Nial, Director, Odisha Pavilion at IITF, 2022, received the award from Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director, ITPO in a special ceremony organised at the Conference Hall of Exhibition hall No.7, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on the final day of the trade fair.

After a series of visits by the Jury members to different pavilions, Odisha Pavilion has been selected for the award. Congratulatory messages are pouring in after the Odisha Pavilion received this high profile national level award. There were joy and jubilation among the officials, exhibitors and other team members present in the Odisha Pavilion as well. Twenty nine States and Union territories had participated along with big corporate and foreign countries in this mega trade fair.

The Odisha Pavilion, which was inaugurated on 14th November by Minister, Panchayati Raj, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Information and Public Relations, Pradip Amat, had showcased numerous products manufactured locally by rural women artisans and entrepreneurs under the theme “Vocal for Local, Local to Global” in line with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision to empower women and rural entrepreneurs of the State.

Odisha Pavilion had been designed and decked up highlighting various initiatives and developmental strides of the Odisha Government in this regard. The Odisha Pavilion also showcased the rich cultural heritage, handicrafts and handlooms of Odisha which were great attraction for visitors in the trade fair. A total of 24 stalls had been opened in the Odisha Pavilion where famous handloom, Government owned handicrafts and handlooms outlets like Boyanika, Utkalika along with various departments and agencies of the State Government such as Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, ORMAS, SERIFED, Mission Shakti, Industries, ST&SC Development, Start Up Odisha participated. Upcoming events like “Make in Odisha”, “Hockey Men’s World Cup” as well as Millet Mission Mascot “Mili” were prominently displayed in the Pavilion.

On 24th November, the Odisha State Day was celebrated at Amphitheatre-1 of Pragati Maidan. Cultural extravaganza marked the Odisha State day celebrations with the enthralling performance of various cultural troupes that participated in the event. Minister for Rural Development, Skill Development and Technical Education, Govt. of Odisha Pritiranjan Gharai Inaugurated the event who had graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Member of Parliament, Bhadrak Loksabha Constituency Manjulata Mandal, Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Chairman, OTDC, Kasturi Mohapatra, Editor, Utkala Prasanga and Odisha Review, Resident Commissioner, Odisha, New Delhi Ravikant, Special Resident Commissioner Debjani Chakrabarti, GM, ITPO R.S.Sahoo, Director, Information and Public Relations Dept., Govt. of Odisha Indramani Tripathy attended the celebration as Guests. Cultural and Dance programmes like Odissi, Dalkhai, Bajasal and Modern fusion dance were performed in the State Day and the electrifying performances of the artists left the audience mesmerised who thronged in large numbers to the amphitheatre to witness the Odisha’s rich cultural grandeur and magical rhythm, beats, synchronisation of the songs and dances. Besides this the latest issue of Utkala Prasanga and Odisha Review were also released by the Hon’ble Guests.

During the fair, the Odisha Pavilion was visited and appreciated by several high profile dignitaries including Principal Secretary, I&PR and RD Sanjay Singh, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Arabinda K Padhee, Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Usha Padhee, Secretary and COE, NRA Sanjeev Mishra, Retd. IAS officer Ranglal Jamuda etc. The Odisha Pavilion had also witnessed lakhs of footfalls including students from various educational institutes in and around Delhi and a sale turnover to the tune of around Rs. 40 lakh has been made during the event.

In the award presentation ceremony, Santosh Das, Additional Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Govt. Of Odisha, Sudhanshu Sekhar Mohanty, Deputy Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, Odisha and other officials were present. Director, Odisha Pavilion Subash Nial led the team of officials camping at New Delhi for planning, preparation and execution of the events in the fair. All department officials and employees rendered their valuable support for successful installation of the pavilion and organisation of cultural events and other associated works.