'Centre to promote Nabakalebar globally'

The Centre would provide all assistance to the Nabakalebar festival in Odisha's Puri town and take several measures for its global branding and promotion, Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma said on Saturday.

"There would be no dearth of funds for the Nabakalebar festival. We have already sanctioned Rs.50 crore after we received a proposal of Rs.52 crore from Odisha government for the festival," said Sharma at a review meeting on the preparation of the festival here.

He said the central government will also supplement budgetary support as per the requirements of the festival, which would be promoted globally.

The minister also launched Centre's new scheme 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation' in the state. The scheme is aimed at development of tourist places in the country and benefiting the tourists.

The tourism minister said the government is planning to promote Odisha on international tourism map. The tourism ministry in coordination with the petroleum ministry will observe the Nabakalebar festival as an international tourism event this year.

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Union government is ready to provide all assistance for the smooth arrangement of the event in the state.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for tardy progress in carrying out different activities and urged the tourism minister to ensure expeditious completion of the pending projects.

The central government has decided to bring out a Coffee Table Book, make a special documentary on the Rath Yatra and coins and stamps to commemorate the festival. The Odisha government expects congregation of about 50 lakh pilgrims to witness the festival in Puri.

The review meeting was attended by Odisha Tourism Minister Ashok Panda, chief secretary and several other officials of the state government.