At the recent “Odisha Festival” conducted in Japan, more collaboration and cooperation to promote socio-cultural and economic links between Odisha and Japan were proposed.
For significant exchange programmes and partnership in the areas of biotechnology, cultural development, and education, Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Science and Technology, SSEPD, was contacted.
Speaking at the goodwill event hosted by the Odisha Culture Society, Japan, Panda noted that the lifestyle and eating customs of Odias and Japanese are similar. Both have shown incredibly strong resolve to solve issues.
Panda also discussed Dhauligiri, an Odisha peace pagoda that hosted a “Shanti Stupa” Golden Jubilee Festival in October of last year.
Dr. Kazunobu Mitsuda, a former professor at Kiyoto University, spoke about the likelihood of a cultural thread, in its historical context, connecting Odisha and Japan.
The Odia film “Kalira Atita” was screened, as well as classical Odissi dance performed by Ms. Yumiko Hananomiya and Ms. Sachiko Murakami and traditional folk dance from Odisha performed by Mahaveer Sanskrutika Anusthan, Kalahandi.
The event included a display of handicrafts, handlooms, and tourism-related products.
Participating in the programme were, among others, Padmasri Nilamadhab Panda, a renowned film director, Linguist and Scholar Padmasri Dr. Tomio Mizokami, Osaka Kobe, Consulate General of India in Japan, and Debi Prasad Mishra, a former minister and MLA from Badamba.
The three-part program’s organisers intend to host further such events in the upcoming days.
Prasanta Patnaik