CM Majhi Unveils Rs 545-Crore Development Push at Parab Festival

Addressing the gathering on the fourth evening of the four-day festival at Shaheed Laxman Nayak Manch, Majhi said Parab, since its inception in 1996, has played a transformative role in preserving and promoting the art, culture, traditions and history of the Koraput region.

“Parab has awakened social and cultural consciousness, brought hidden talents to the forefront and united people across communities,” the Chief Minister said.

Of the total projects announced, 16 works worth Rs 24 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 70 projects involving an investment of Rs 521 crore. The projects span 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 the initiatives would accelerate inclusive growth and improve the quality of life in one of Odisha’s most culturally rich yet developmentally sensitive regions.

Before 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 “unparalleled natural beauty and human values,” he said the region’s soil reflects peace, simplicity and love.

Majhi highlighted the national and global recognition earned by Koraput’s coffee, black cumin seeds and the iconic Kotpad sarees, calling them symbols of the district’s unique identity. He also underscored Koraput’s leadership in millet cultivation, noting that millets—now globally recognised as Sri Anna—are grown across nearly 72,000 hectares under the Sri Anna Abhiyan.

The Chief Minister lauded woman farmer Dr. Raimati Ghiuria as a custodian of traditional millet diversity and urged farmers to supplement agriculture with allied activities such as fisheries, dairy and poultry to boost income security.

More than a cultural showcase, Parab has evolved into a living archive of tribal wisdom, celebrating folk dances, music, crafts, food traditions and rituals that reflect the deep bond between indigenous communities and nature. The festival has also emerged as a platform for cultural assertion, offering tribal artistes and farmers national visibility while fostering pride among younger generations.

On the occasion, Majhi 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 must be showcased to a wider audience, while Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Minister Nityanand Gond said Parab has given the district a distinct identity at the state and national levels.

Koraput MP Saptagiri Ullaka, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi and MLAs Ramachandra Kadam, Rupu Bhatra and Pitha Sauntha also extended greetings, noting that Parab has significantly enhanced Odisha’s cultural standing nationally and internationally.

District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan and other senior officials were present at the event.