Odisha CM announces 86 projects worth Rs 545 crore for Koraput at Parab 2025
Development thrust unveiled amid celebration of tribal heritage at national-level festival
By Suryanarayan Panda
Koraput, Dec. 22: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced a major development initiative for Koraput district, unveiling 86 projects worth Rs 545 crore at the national-level tribal festival Parab 2025, underscoring the state government’s parallel focus on development and cultural preservation.
Addressing the gathering on the fourth and final evening of the four-day festival at the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Manch, the Chief Minister said Parab, since its inception in 1996, has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the art, culture, traditions and history of the Koraput region.
“Parab has awakened social and cultural consciousness, brought many hidden talents to the forefront and united people across communities,” he said.
Of the total projects announced, 16 works involving Rs 24 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 70 projects with an investment of Rs 521 crore. The projects cover key sectors such as irrigation, healthcare infrastructure, small industries, urban hostels, bridges and roads, Mission Shakti Bhawans, Forest Protection Committee buildings and additional classrooms. Majhi said these initiatives would accelerate inclusive growth and improve the quality of life in one of Odisha’s most culturally vibrant yet developmentally sensitive regions.
Prior to his address, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to freedom fighter Shaheed Laxman Nayak and other martyrs of the district. Describing Koraput as a land of “unmatched natural beauty and human values,” he said the district’s soil symbolises peace, simplicity and love. He highlighted the national and global recognition earned by Koraput’s coffee, black cumin seeds and the iconic Kotpad sarees, calling them emblems of the region’s distinct identity.
Majhi also highlighted Koraput’s leadership in millet cultivation, noting that millets—now globally recognised as Sri Anna—are grown across nearly 72,000 hectares in the district under the Sri Anna Abhiyan. He praised woman farmer Dr. Raimati Ghiuria as a guardian of traditional millet diversity and urged farmers to augment agriculture with allied activities such as fisheries, dairy and poultry to ensure income stability.
More than a cultural showcase, Parab has evolved into a living repository of tribal knowledge, celebrating the rhythm of life in southern Odisha’s tribal heartland. Rooted in the collective memory of indigenous communities, the festival brings together vibrant folk dances, traditional music, crafts, cuisine and rituals that reflect the deep bond between nature and people.
Over the years, Parab has also emerged as a powerful platform for cultural assertion and dignity, providing tribal artistes, weavers, farmers and performers national visibility while nurturing pride among younger generations. Often described as Koraput’s cultural heartbeat, the festival bridges tradition with contemporary aspirations, ensuring that development remains anchored in identity and values.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled a special Parab jacket and released a video song dedicated to the festival. Fisheries and animal resources development minister Gokulanand Mallick said Koraput’s tribal culture is exceptionally rich and deserves wider exposure. Scheduled tribes and scheduled castes development minister Nityanand Gond said Parab has given Koraput a distinct identity at both state and national levels.
Koraput MP Saptagiri Ullaka, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi and MLAs Ramachandra Kadam (Pattangi), Rupu Bhatra (Kotpad) and Pitha Sauntha (Laxmipur) extended greetings to the people, noting that after Bali Yatra, Parab has significantly enhanced Odisha’s cultural standing nationally and internationally. District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan and Koraput MLA Raghuram Machh also spoke on the occasion.
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Photograph: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi waves to the crowd during Parab 2025 celebrations in Koraput on Sunday evening.
