Bhubaneswar: To explore India’s rich maritime legacy and its potential to shape future strategies for sustainable development, The Energy Forum (TEF), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised a two-day conference titled ‘Purvodaya Perspectives: Reclaiming India’s Maritime Heritage – Perspectives, Prospects, and Prognosis’ here on Saturday.
Highlighting the conference’s objectives, Sidhartha Pradhan, trustee of TEF, said that Purvodaya’s maritime heritage represents a legacy of knowledge, culture, and connectivity that has profound relevance for contemporary maritime strategies. “This platform is a unique opportunity to bring together leaders and experts to reimagine India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Regarding the importance of the conference, Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (east) in the ministry of external affairs, said that this conference highlights the shared maritime heritage between India, especially Odisha, and Southeast Asia. “Odisha’s rich history, operational port, and strong industrial base position it to lead in maritime trade, exploration, and collaboration, fostering stronger ties in transport, energy, and tourism,” he said.
Attending the event, culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted Odisha as a rising epicentre of growth and development. “Odisha’s progress serves as an example not only for India but also for the world. The state is advancing significantly in areas such as ports, industries, and tourism,” Suraj said.