Union Ministers Embrace Art and Heritage During Inspiring Visit to Odisha's Puri

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP leader Sambit Patra, visited a sand art exhibit created by renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, who hails from Odisha on 17th August. The ministers visited the sand art at the Blue Flag beach in Odisha's Puri. The creation was based on the theme of "Meri Mati Mera Desh" ("My Soil, My Country"). Earlier, on August 15th, Sudarshan Patnaik shared another creation by one of his students for Independence Day and also shared another creation on the theme of "Har Ghar Tiranga" through his Twitter account.

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Sudarshan Patnaik is well known for his unique art and has gained appreciation from the Odisha government. He also heads the Golden Sand Art Institute, an open-air institute on Puri Beach behind Mayfair Hotel, which was established in 1995. Through his contributions and the efforts of other sand artists, this form of art has gained global recognition. Additionally, sand art has attracted tourism to Puri, motivating artists to excel in their craft.

The Union Minister visited the sand art creation after paying a visit to the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri on the morning of August 17th.

The Finance Minister arrived at Bhubaneswar Airport last night, where she received a warm welcome from the crowd.

The Union Minister paid tribute to Odisha's first freedom fighter from the village of Birharekrishnapur, who is popularly known as "Veer Jairajguru." The minister also collected soil from the freedom fighter's village in an earthen pot and placed it on her head during the Amrit Kalash Yatra. The soil will be taken to Delhi.

Under the "Meri Mati Mera Desh" program at the Central Sanskrit University's Residential Complex in Puri, Odisha, the minister participated in a plantation drive and took the "Panch Pran Pledge." This pledge focuses on making India self-reliant by 2023, eliminating any remnants of a colonial mindset, celebrating our heritage, strengthening unity, and respecting those who protect the country and fulfill their duties as citizens.

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