Bhubaneswar: The vibrant essence of Odisha came alive in Guwahati as the state government inaugurated Odisha Parab 2026, a three-day extravaganza celebrating the region’s heritage, traditions, and tourism potential.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the event kicked off on January 30 with the support of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, ORMAS, and Mission Shakti.
It features exquisite handicrafts, handlooms, authentic Odia cuisine, captivating performances, live craft demonstrations, and insights into the state’s diverse tourism offerings.
The initiative aims to strengthen cultural bonds and people-to-people connections between Odisha and Assam, while expanding outreach to the Eastern and Northeastern parts of India. Choosing Guwahati, often called the gateway to the Northeast, underscores Odisha’s strategy to boost inter-regional connectivity, collaboration, and tourism exchanges, an official release said.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, . She described Odisha Parab as a flagship cultural outreach initiative of the State, aimed at presenting Odisha as an experiential destination that seamlessly blends culture, heritage, cuisine, nature and modern tourism infrastructure.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Of Assam’s Tourism Department, Diganta Barah, emphasised the importance of inter-state collaboration in tourism promotion and appreciated Odisha’s initiative in showcasing its cultural and tourism strengths in the Assam, noting the growing tourism linkages between the two regions.
