BHUBANESWAR: Visiting journalists from Kerala participating in a press tour to Odisha met with Odisha's first female Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida, in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The high-level interaction centered on Odisha's developmental priorities, social welfare initiatives, and potential collaborations inspired by Kerala’s successful tourism framework.
During the session, Parida underscored the state's aggressive push to modernize its tourism sector. Highlighting Chilika Lake—Asia's largest brackish water lagoon—she revealed that the Odisha government is actively exploring innovative tourism projects, including the introduction of houseboat experiences directly modeled after Kerala’s renowned backwater tourism. She noted that these initiatives are designed to elevate visitor experiences while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that tourism serves as a vital catalyst for economic growth and employment. She detailed ongoing infrastructure upgrades aimed at promoting heritage and eco-tourism, allowing visitors worldwide to experience Odisha’s rich natural and cultural assets.
Beyond tourism, the discussion touched upon key social welfare and community engagement programs. Smt. Parida reaffirmed Odisha's commitment to the Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India) campaign, highlighting outreach efforts geared toward shielding the youth from substance abuse. She also outlined targeted welfare measures for migrant workers, stressing the critical role of skill training, capacity building, and robust social support systems in improving their economic prospects and overall quality of life.
The interaction concluded with an enthusiastic exchange of ideas between the Deputy Chief Minister and the Kerala media delegation, fostering a shared vision for enhanced cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two states in areas spanning tourism, skill enhancement, and social development.
