Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Tourism Department on Thursday organised a national seminar titled “Shakti Bandana ra Mahagatha – Balaram Das’s Laxmi Purana” at the Mission Shakti Bhawan auditorium in Bhubaneswar.
The event highlighted the literary, cultural, and social significance of the Laxmi Purana and its message of women’s empowerment and social equality.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida, inaugurated the seminar as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Parida said the Laxmi Purana is not merely a religious text but a symbol of social revolution. She said true prosperity is built on justice, equality, hard work, self-respect, and dignity, and not just wealth.
She also announced that the Tourism Department has prepared a blueprint for the proposed Laxmi Purana Corridor at Balaram Das’ Samadhi Pitha. The project aims to showcase Odisha’s cultural heritage, traditions, and philosophy to the world.
Law, Public Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also attended the event as the guest of honour. He said the Laxmi Purana is not only an invocation to Goddess Laxmi but also a pathway to honouring women.
He praised the Tourism Department’s initiative to promote the literary work globally.
A conceptual video of the proposed Laxmi Purana Corridor at Begunia village under Gop Block was screened during the programme.
The seminar featured discussions by scholars, researchers, and cultural personalities on the relevance of the Laxmi Purana in promoting gender equality and social justice.
The speakers included Dr. Bidyutlata Mohanty, Asit Mohanty, Gouranga Charan Das, Gita Das, Namita Agarwal, Aditya Chandra Das, Sucheta Priyabadini, Aliva Mohanty and Jayanti Dora.
Among those present were Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Mission Shakti Director Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, and Tourism Director Deepankar Mohapatra.
The programme concluded with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida felicitating the participating delegates.
