Work From Home To Offer Employment Flow To Odisha Post COVID-19: Experts

New Delhi: With work from home becoming the new normal post COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity of employment can flow into Odisha, said industry veteran Michael Jon Mattsen, CEO of Mattsen Kumar LLC, USA.

He was speaking at a round table discussion organised on the occasion of Odisha Day on April 1, here under the aegis of Odisha Positive in association with the Roots of Odisha Foundation. The panel of speakers discussed the issue of post-pandemic economic scenario in Odisha and enumerated the opportunities ahead for according the state its rightful place in development parameters.

Pankaj Gupta, CEO of vCloudx Pte Ltd, Singapore said Odisha has tremendous potential to foster not just the state economy but also the national economy. To unleash the potential, the right eco system should be in place.

Publisher and Editor Chairman of Voice of Civil Society, CA Ravi Pani, recalled the golden days of Odias and their business voyage across the globe during maritime trade.

Recounting her visit to the tribal heartland of Kraput, Kandhamal and Phulbani, Lt Col Dr Parminer Kaur emphasised the importance of child care which is lacking in remote tribal hamlets.

Recounting his experience of travel in Odisha and abroad, notable environmentalist and eco traveller Yogendra Singh said the rural hospitality in Odisha is greatest and the state is ideally placed for Eco-Adventure-Spiritual Tourism and this will foster rural employment.

Dr Sadanand Sahoo, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and Founder of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism highlighted the importance of Odia diaspora to come forward and contribute to the home economy.

Dr Srikant K Panigrahi, Director General of Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) highlighted the potential of investment in renewable sector in Odisha given its vast coastline and forest valleys.

In his closing remarks, chartered accountant Sudhir Kumar Dash said Odisha is a power surplus and politically stable state. In the opening remark advocate Sanjib Kumar Mohanty highlighted the vast language diversity, culture and peace which was already available in the state.

Anshu Sarin, CEO Berggruen Hotels and Ritin Agarwal, CEO Fundvice also participated in the discussion.