Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Mandap at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 is set to showcase the state’s rich heritage, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit on the global stage, said Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology, Odisha, during his visit to the pavilion on Wednesday.
Reviewing the Odisha Pavilion, Minister Patra appreciated the display of Odisha’s unique arts, culture, architecture, and heritage, alongside the state’s progress and development.
“The pavilion not only highlights our tradition but also demonstrates how Odisha is emerging as a hub for artisans and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Patra toured various stalls, interacting with Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), Mission Shakti members, emerging entrepreneurs, and local artisans. He inquired about their challenges, market opportunities, and the demand for Odisha products among both national and international visitors. The Minister also noted how Odisha’s handicrafts and local products are creating a distinct identity for the state in global markets.
Members of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC) had visited the pavilion a day earlier. Yusuf Pathan, former cricketer and MP from Baharampur, West Bengal, and Anita Shubhdarshini, MP from Aska, lauded the skill and creativity of Odisha’s artisans and weavers.
While Pathan said the pavilion perfectly reflected the theme “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” Shubhdarshini highlighted the strong presence of women at most stalls, calling it a powerful message of women’s empowerment in the state.
The Odisha Pavilion has emerged as one of the major attractions at IITF 2025, drawing crowds to live demonstrations of handlooms, handicrafts, and rural products.
