The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
The 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, commenced its four-day visit to Odisha, delving into the state’s rich tribal heritage and world-class sports infrastructure. The delegation, comprising esteemed members, arrived in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and began its tour with visits to the Odisha State Tribal Museum and Kalinga Stadium.
At the Odisha State Tribal Museum, the Commission members gained insights into the indigenous culture through a remarkable display of tribal artifacts. They explored a special Abhushan center showcasing intricate ornaments, including leg ornaments, bracelets, waist cords, and other traditional jewelry. The delegation also admired tribal handlooms, furniture, dokra crafts, and vivid paintings. A documentary offering a glimpse into the culture, traditions, and daily lives of Odisha’s indigenous communities captivated the visitors. The delegation was particularly impressed by the tribal housing complex, commending the state government’s initiatives to preserve Odisha’s tribal heritage, art, and crafts.
The delegation then proceeded to Kalinga Stadium, a premier sports facility that has earned recognition for fostering athletic excellence. They toured state-of-the-art centers, including the Sports Science Center, Biomechanics Lab, Gait Lab, Spin Studio, and Para Athlete Performance Center. The members also visited key sports hubs such as the Tennis Center, Athletics Center, Hockey Stadium, Gymnastics Center, Aquatic Center, and the renowned Gopichand Badminton High-Performance Center, reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to sports development.
The visit was attended by several distinguished officials, including Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Dr. Manoj Panda, Economic Advisor Dr. Prashant Kumar Panda, Joint Director Priya Sarraf, and Deputy Directors Manshi Gupta and Shikha Singh. Senior state officials, including Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Saswat Mishra and Principal Secretary of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, accompanied the delegation during the tour.
The Finance Commission will continue its assessment tomorrow with visits to Dhauli Gram Panchayat, Konark, and Puri, further evaluating the state’s developmental progress.
