Bhubaneswar: The second day of the 4th Odisha Mining and Infrastructure International Expo 2026 unfolded as a powerful showcase of leadership, innovation and sustainable vision at Baramunda Ground, Bhubaneswar, with Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo attending as the Chief Guest.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including MSME Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik, Swami Prem Anweshi, Chairman of Futurex Group, Namit Gupta, Director, Futurex Group, T.K. Chand, former CMD of NALCO and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Ajit Kumar Kar of TCS USA, and Vivek Agrawal, Director and CEO of MR Engineers Pvt. Ltd.
Organised by Futurex Trade Fair and Events Pvt. Ltd. in association with Laghu Udyog Bharti, Odisha Chamber of Commerce and IPICOL, the four-day international expo is being held from January 8 to 11, 2026, with free public entry. It brings together key stakeholders from the mining, infrastructure, construction and technology sectors from across India and overseas.
The day began with blessings and a keynote address by Swami Prem Anweshi, who emphasised ethical governance, visionary leadership and people-centric policymaking as key drivers of sustainable development in Odisha. T.K. Chand highlighted the growing global stature of the Expo, noting that mining contributes nearly 10 per cent to Odisha’s GDP and adds ₹60,000–₹70,000 crore annually to the state economy, with the potential to scale up to ₹2 lakh crore. He said the Expo aims to promote green, near-zero emission mining and position Odisha as India’s mining capital and a global mining machinery hub.
Ajit Kumar Kar underlined the transformative role of digital technologies in mining, citing predictive analytics, autonomous operations, environmental monitoring and ESG integration as key factors enhancing efficiency, safety and sustainability.
A major highlight of the day was the Change Maker Awards ceremony led by the Deputy Chief Minister, honouring women achievers from Odisha for their outstanding contributions. Among those felicitated were Padma Shri awardee and renowned Odissi dancer Aruna Mohanty, motivational speaker and life coach Sanjukta Patnaik, culture promoter Tanaya Patnaik and tribal development advocate Harmeet Sehra, along with several other inspiring women leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo reflected on the role of artificial intelligence in mining, stating that while modern technology is reshaping industries, human intelligence remains central to progress. He reaffirmed the importance of mining to Odisha’s economy and expressed confidence that the Expo would promote sustainable growth and prosperity, while also urging environmental responsibility in line with the Prime Minister’s call of “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”.
The programme concluded with a guided tour of the exhibition pavilions by the Deputy Chief Minister and the organising team, showcasing advanced mining machinery and technologies. Later in the day, MSME Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik visited the Expo and emphasised the crucial role of MSMEs in driving innovation, employment and inclusive growth, noting that platforms like this Expo accelerate industrial development and strengthen the ‘Make in Odisha’ vision.
