Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Tourism Department on Wednesday introduced a new brand tagline, “Think India, Think Odisha,” aiming to reshape the state’s tourism identity.
The tagline was unveiled along with the launch of the OMC Puri Coastal Marathon, an international event planned to boost Odisha’s profile in sports and experiential tourism. The first edition of the marathon will be held on December 13, 2026. Organisers said the event will have a prize pool of more than Rs 1 crore, making it one of the most competitive running events in India.
The race is expected to draw elite athletes, amateur runners, and participants from abroad. The course will run along Puri’s coastline. It includes a 6-km section on the beach’s golden sand. Race categories will cover a full marathon of 42 km, a half marathon of 21 km, a 10 km run, and a 5 km run. The range of categories is meant to ensure wide participation. The official website for the marathon has gone live. Registrations are now open for runners from India and other countries.
Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Patnaik marked the launch by creating a sand sculpture at Blue Flag Beach. The artwork revealed the official OPCM logo. The logo takes inspiration from key symbols of Odisha. It features the Patita Pavana Bana of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the Konark Chakra, and waves of the Bay of Bengal.
Together, the elements represent movement, energy, and the state’s coastal character. The launch event in Puri was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. MLAs Om Prakash Mishra of Satyabadi, Ashrit Pattanayak of Pipili, and Sunil Kumar Mohanty of Puri were also present.
Tourism Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh joined them, along with senior officials and stakeholders from the tourism and sports sectors. Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Minister said Odisha is moving toward a high-performance tourism economy.
She said the growth is being driven by focused branding, better infrastructure, and engaging visitor experiences. She added that the new tagline presents a bold and aspirational identity.
