Odisha, known as the Maritime Gateway of Eastern India, has once again highlighted its maritime strength, innovation, and cultural depth on a national platform.
The Odisha State Stall at India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 in Mumbai has been awarded the title of Best Stall, recognising its creative design, engaging content, and visionary presentation of the state’s maritime heritage and future outlook.
The award was presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. The accolade was received by Bidhan Chandra Ray, Additional Secretary of Commerce and Transport, along with Padmalochan Roul, Director of Ports and Inland Water Transport, and Captain Sushant Bag, Chief Nautical Officer of the Odisha Maritime Board.
Curated by the Commerce and Transport Department of the Government of Odisha and the Odisha Maritime Board, the stall was designed around the theme “Odisha – Voyage of Heritage and Hope.” It vividly captured the evolution of Odisha’s maritime journey, from the ancient Boita Bandana traditions and the shipbuilding craftsmanship of Kalinga to the state’s modern port-led development, shipbuilding clusters, inland waterways, cruise tourism, and initiatives related to the blue economy.
The Odisha Stall received widespread appreciation from dignitaries, industry leaders, and visitors for its immersive storytelling and creative depiction, seamlessly connecting Odisha’s glorious maritime past with its forward-looking vision for sustainable coastal and trade development. This recognition at IMW 2025 reaffirms Odisha’s leadership in India’s maritime transformation, where heritage meets innovation, steering towards a developed Odisha and a developed Bharat.
