Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The vibrant essence of Odisha came alive in Guwahati as the state government inaugurated Odisha Parab 2026, a three-day extravaganza celebrating the region’s heritage, traditions, and tourism potential. Organised by the Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the event kicked off on January 30 with the support of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, ORMAS, and Mission Shakti. It features exquisite handicrafts, handlooms, authentic Odia cuisine, captivating performances, live craft demonstrations, and insights into the state’s diverse tourism offerings.
The project intends to increase outreach to the eastern and northeastern regions of India while fortifying cultural ties and interpersonal relationships between Odisha and Assam. According to an official statement, selecting Guwahati, which is sometimes referred to as the gateway to the Northeast, highlights Odisha’s goal to increase interregional connectivity, cooperation, and tourist exchanges.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is also in charge of tourism, attended the opening ceremony. She defined Odisha Parab as a major cultural outreach effort of the State, aiming at showcasing Odisha as an immersive destination that perfectly mixes culture, tradition, food, nature and contemporary tourism infrastructure. Diganta Barah, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Assam’s Tourism Department, emphasized the value of interstate cooperation in promoting tourism and praised Odisha’s initiative in highlighting its cultural and tourism strengths in Assam, pointing out the expanding tourism ties between the two regions.
