Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the fourth evening of the National Level Tribal Festival PARAB-2025 in Koraput on Sunday, where he praised the event as a vibrant platform for preserving and promoting the district’s rich art, culture, traditions, and heritage since its inception in 1996.
Speaking as the chief guest at the five-day festival held at the Saheed Laxman Naik Stage, Majhi paid floral tributes to freedom fighter Saheed Laxman Naik and other independence heroes from the district. He described Koraput’s Ganta Ghar – a clock tower of unparalleled beauty – as a unique gift of nature that has earned global recognition. “The soil of Koraput spreads the fragrance of peace, simplicity, and hospitality across society,” Majhi said, highlighting the district’s iconic products like locally grown coffee, black rice, and Kotpad sarees, which have carved out a distinct identity not just in Odisha but across India and abroad.
Majhi also spotlighted Koraput’s prominence in millet production, often hailed as “Shri Anna” – the national grain. Under the Shri Anna Abhiyan, nearly 72,000 hectares of land in the district are now dedicated to millet cultivation. He commended the pioneering efforts of Dr. Raimati Ghuria, a leading woman farmer and conservator in the field, for her contributions to sustainable agriculture.
In a major developmental milestone, the Chief Minister inaugurated 16 projects worth ₹24 crore and laid the foundation stones for 70 projects valued at Rs 521 crore, totaling Rs 545 crore in investments for Koraput district. These initiatives span critical sectors including irrigation, healthcare centers, small-scale industries, urban hostels, bridges, roads, Mission Shakti Bhawan, forest protection committee buildings, and additional classrooms. “These projects will propel Koraput’s growth forward,” Majhi asserted, underscoring his government’s mantra of “development with inheritance” to strengthen the region’s social and economic fabric.
Addressing local farmers, Majhi urged them to integrate allied activities such as fish farming, goat rearing, poultry, and duck farming alongside traditional agriculture to enhance livelihoods. He emphasized the state government’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting tribal culture under his leadership.
During the event, Majhi released a special jacket commemorating PARAB and unveiled a promotional video to further amplify the festival’s reach. Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Gokulananda Mallik lauded Koraput’s affluent tribal heritage, calling it a collective duty to bring the district’s traditions to the forefront. “Under the Chief Minister’s guidance, the state is actively working on the conservation and propagation of tribal culture,” he added.
Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Minister Nityananda Gond echoed the sentiment, stating, “We take immense pride in our culture, traditions, and heritage. PARAB is a beautiful initiative that keeps them alive and has given Koraput a unique identity.” Other dignitaries, including Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Nabarangpur MP Balbhadra Majhi, and MLAs Ramchandra Kadam (Pottangi), Rupu Bhatra (Kotpad), and Pabitra Saunta (Lakhsimipur), extended greetings to festival organizers and residents. They noted that PARAB, second only to the Baliyatra in Odisha, has elevated the state’s cultural stature nationally and internationally. The leaders expressed gratitude to Majhi for his participation.
District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan delivered the welcome address, while Koraput MLA Raghuram Malli offered a vote of thanks. The festival continues to foster social and cultural awakening, unearthing hidden talents and uniting communities in celebration of tribal ethos.
