Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Cabinet has approved the ‘Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana’, a scheme aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Odisha by developing the birthplaces of eminent personalities into heritage sites.
The scheme will focus on Freedom Fighters, Poets, Litterateurs, Educationists, Social Reformers, and other notable individuals who have contributed significantly to Odisha’s social, cultural, and literary ethos.
The interventions under the scheme include:
– Heritage Museums: Developing residential houses of Baraputras as heritage museums
– Supporting Infrastructure: Creating Interpretation Centers, Libraries, Conference Halls, Open-Air Theatres, and Children’s Parks
– Statues and Memorials: Establishing statues and memorials to commemorate Baraputras
– Local Livelihoods: Setting up dedicated outlets for locally renowned cuisine, handicrafts, and handloom products
– Cultural Events: Organizing seminars, discussions, and cultural programs to promote Baraputras’ ideas and values
In the first phase, 25 eminent sons of Odisha have been identified for development, with financial assistance of up to Rs 15 crore per birthplace. The total estimated expenditure for Phase I is Rs 345 crore.
