Cuttack: Odisha minister Suryabanshi Suraj went scuba diving in Mahanadi river, near Cuttack Boating Club, and enjoyed the experience.
Suraj, the minister of Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature & Culture, was accompanied by international scuba diver Sabbir Bux.
Playing chess deep inside the river was a “dream experience” for Suraj.
“I got the opportunity to scuba dive in the waters of Mahanadi near Cuttack Boating Club… Had an incredible time experiencing water sports with renowned scuba diver Mr Sabir Bux,” the minister wrote, sharing pictures and videos of his under-water adventure.
“I enjoyed playing chess in the shallow waters of Mahanadi… Playing chess amidst the free movement of aquatic life underwater was no less than a dream experience,” Suraj stated.
The Sports minister said that the state government is committed to promoting adventure sports in Odisha “as a powerful way to inspire and engage the youth… Every step we take is towards building a vibrant and inclusive sports culture in Odisha.”
Suraj had a word of caution for those who are keen on water sports.
“Request not to perform such adventurous sports without training or in the absence of a coach,” he wrote on X.
Had an incredible time experiencing water sports with renowned scuba diver Mr. Sabir Bux. We are committed to promoting adventure sports in the state as a powerful way to inspire and engage the youth.
Every step we take is towards building a vibrant and inclusive sports culture… pic.twitter.com/DPd85wCfrY— Suryabanshi Suraj (@suryabanshibjp) April 18, 2025
କଟକ ବୋଟିଂ କ୍ଲବ ନିକଟରେ ମହାନଦୀର ଜଳରାଶିରେ ସ୍କୁବା ଡାଇଁଭିଂ କରିବାର ସୁଯୋଗ ମିଳିଲା। ଦେଶର ପ୍ରଖ୍ଯାତ ସ୍କୁବା ଡାଇଭର ସବୀର ବକ୍ସଙ୍କ ସହ ମହାନଦୀ ଗର୍ଭରେ ଅଥଳ ଜଳରାଶିରେ ଚେସ୍ ଖେଳିବାର ଆନନ୍ଦ ନେଲି। ପାଣି ଭିତରେ ଜଳଜୀବଙ୍କ ସ୍ବଚ୍ଛନ୍ଦ ବିଚରଣ ମଝିରେ ଚେସ୍ ଖେଳିବା ସ୍ବପ୍ନଠାରୁ କମ୍ ଅନୁଭୂତି ଦେଇନଥିଲା। pic.twitter.com/uy5j36gQah
— Suryabanshi Suraj (@suryabanshibjp) April 17, 2025
