Bhubaneswar, Sept. 4: Panchjanya’s ‘Sushasan Samvad – Odisha Ki Udaan 2.0’ brought together a wide-ranging conversation on Odisha’s journey of governance, development and growth, with discussions focusing on the state’s progress, emerging opportunities and the aspirations shaping its future. The programme was held at Vivanta Bhubaneswar, DN Regalia Mall, Kalinga Vihar, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar.
Organised as part of Panchjanya’s Sushasan Samvad series, the Odisha edition provided a platform to look at development beyond individual sectors and consider the relationship between governance, economic growth, social progress and public aspirations. The dialogue placed Odisha’s ongoing transformation in the context of the opportunities available to the state and the role that governance can play in taking this progress further.
Odisha has witnessed considerable change over the years, while continuing to retain a strong connection with its cultural and social heritage. Its development journey brings together several areas of public interest, including infrastructure, investment, employment, entrepreneurship, education, social development and the preservation of its distinctive identity. These aspects formed part of the broader context of the conversations at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, said, “Odisha is moving ahead with a clear focus on development that reaches people and creates opportunities for them. Our priorities include stronger infrastructure, better public services and greater opportunities for our youth, farmers, women and entrepreneurs. At the same time, our cultural heritage continues to be an important part of Odisha’s identity. We want growth to go hand in hand with this heritage and with the aspirations of our people. Platforms such as Sushasan Samvad provide an opportunity to discuss this journey openly and look at the work that lies ahead.”
For Panchjanya, the Sushasan Samvad series is also an effort to take conversations around governance beyond conventional policy discussions. Shri Hitesh Shankar, Editor, Panchjanya, said, “Sushasan Samvad – Odisha Ki Udaan 2.0 is the second edition of Panchjanya’s meaningful conversations on good governance. The 1st edition has established that Hindi is not restricted to any geographical boundaries. We are going global with successful events in Manchester, Birmingham, Central London and Glasgow that celebrated the Hindi language and our cultural relevance. The acceptance and enthusiasm of the 1st edition have raised the responsibility of today’s conversation. Through Sushasan Samvad – Odisha Ki Udaan 2.0, we have sought to bring these different aspects into one conversation and look at how governance can respond to the opportunities and expectations before Odisha. Such dialogue helps build a better understanding of the state’s present and its possibilities for the future.”
The programme featured insightful dialogues and cultural presentations, with Shri Hitesh Shankar, Editor, Panchjanya, and Shri Pradeep Joshi Ji, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh, RSS, engaging with distinguished guests on Odisha’s development and cultural identity. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi Ji, Member Secretary, IGNCA, was associated with a Sanskritik presentation of Lord Krishna’s Ras Leela through Mayurbhanj Chhau, while Dr. Surendra Jain Ji, Joint General Secretary, VHP, and Shri Amit Dubey Ji, Cyber Security Expert, shared perspectives from their respective fields. The final session featured a dialogue with Shri Rahul Neel Ji, Author and Cultural Activist, and Dr. Kainaat Qazi Ji, Writer and Solo Traveller, adding further perspectives on culture, society and contemporary issues.
The Sushasan Samvad series has taken this conversation to different parts of the country, bringing attention to the individual development journeys of states while placing them within the larger national context. The series recently held its Rajasthan edition as well, with ‘Sushasan Samvad: Rajasthan’ bringing together perspectives on the state’s governance, development priorities and its place in India’s growth story. The Odisha edition carries the same conversation forward, while keeping the focus on the state’s own experiences, strengths and aspirations.
Odisha’s own journey presents several subjects worth discussing, from its cultural heritage and natural resources to the changes taking place in infrastructure and the economy. As the state moves forward, the larger question is how these strengths can create more opportunities for people across different sections of society and how governance can respond to their changing expectations.
Building on the earlier Odisha edition of Sushasan Samvad, ‘Odisha Ki Udaan 2.0’ returned to the state’s development journey with a fresh look at the road ahead. The second edition also reflected the value of continuing such conversations as priorities change, new possibilities emerge, and the expectations of citizens evolve.
Beyond the immediate discussions around governance and development, the programme underlined the importance of bringing different perspectives into conversations about Odisha’s future. Public participation, institutional responsibility and an understanding of local aspirations remain important parts of any discussion on how development can translate into meaningful change in people’s everyday lives.
With the second Odisha edition, Panchjanya continued its effort to create a forum for conversations on good governance and development across the country. ‘Sushasan Samvad – Odisha Ki Udaan 2.0’ concluded with a focus on the opportunities before Odisha and the role of governance in turning the state’s potential and the aspirations of its people into sustained progress.