Bhubaneswar: Japan’s envoy to India, ONO Keiichi, has expressed his liking for traditional Odia dishes while visiting the state recently.
The Ambassador was in Odisha primarily to attend a major industrial event in Sambalpur. During his stay, he relished a classic local meal featuring rice and Dalma — a popular preparation made from lentils and fresh vegetables that is considered one of Odisha’s signature recipes.
Taking to the social media platform X, the diplomat shared his pleasant experience, stating that he found the Dalma quite tasty. He described it as delicious and an excellent example of the state’s vibrant and diverse food traditions.
“Enjoyed Dalma in Odisha. Delicious, and a wonderful reflection of Odisha’s rich culinary culture”, read his post on X handle.
It is pertinent to note that Keiichi Ono had travelled to Sambalpur to take part in the launch ceremony of a new collaborative project between JSW Steel and Japan’s JFE Steel Corporation. The two firms have established a 50:50 joint venture named JSW JFE Steel Limited to manage integrated steel production activities in the region.
This light-hearted moment of the Ambassador enjoying local cuisine has added a warm cultural touch to the otherwise business-focused visit.
