<strong>Bhubaneswar:</strong> The Centre will soon decide on setting up a branch of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Bhubaneswar. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat has assured Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi of all support in this regard. The MP, who had written to the Union Minister proposing the establishment of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bhubaneswar, recently met him in New Delhi and reminded him of her request for the project. Sarangi informed this through a post on 'X', where she stated that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had also written to the Union Minister for the same. In her letter, Sarangi stated that Bhubaneswar, often referred to as the "Temple City of India", is not only a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage but also a rapidly developing urban centre with immense potential for tourism and educational growth. "The establishment of an NGMA branch in Bhubaneswar would significantly contribute to the cultural and artistic landscape of the region, providing multifaceted benefits to both the local population and the state as a whole. A branch of the NGMA in Bhubaneswar would serve as a major attraction for tourists, both domestic and international," the letter read. It would further complement the existing historical sites, such as the Konark Sun Temple and Puri Jagannath Temple, thereby enriching the cultural tourism circuit of the state. This initiative would not only enhance the cultural appeal of Bhubaneswar but also contribute to the local economy by increasing tourist footfall, the letter added. Sarangi also stated that an NGMA branch in Bhubaneswar would provide cultural exchanges and collaborations between artists from different regions, enhancing the overall artistic environment.
