Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel urging him to accord a ‘National Maritime Heritage Festival’ status to the annual Baliyatra trade fair held on the bank of river Mahanadi in Cuttack city.
“Baliyatra marks the days when ancient Sadhavas (Odia sailors) would set sail to distant lands of Bali as well as Java, Sumatra and Borneo for trade and cultural expansion. They sailed in large vessels called Boitas. This rich legacy is observed through the celebration of Baliyatra,” Patnaik mentioned in the letter.
As India looks to the East to revive the age-old contacts with South East Asia aiming at mutual economic growth of India and the countries in that region, it would be appropriate and timely that the Baliyatra which celebrates the enterprising spirit of the ancient India is recognised at the national level so that the daring initiatives of our seafaring ancestors are duly recollected and acknowledged, the Chief Minister said in the letter.
“I would suggest you to kindly consider the social cultural importance of Baliyatra festival and accord it the status of a National Maritime Heritage Festival,” Patnaik urged the Centre.
