International Conference on Purvodaya Perspectives 2nd edition concludes successfully in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar(15/12/2024): The two-day International Conference on Purvodaya Perspectives: Reclaiming India’s Maritime Heritage – Perspectives, Prospects, and Prognosis concluded today at the Taj Vivanta, Bhubaneswar, with a focus on innovative strategies for port-led development, the blue economy, and the cultural and strategic significance of India’s maritime heritage. The final day of the conference opened with a session on Port-led Development and the Blue Economy, chaired by P.L.Haranadh, Chairman of Paradip Port, and Shri Girish Thomas, General Manager at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, emphasized the importance of modernizing port infrastructure and fostering global connectivity.
Sanjay Gupta, Strategies Consultant, highlighted the need for sustainable practices in developing India’s maritime assets, while SV Anchan, Chairman of Safe Sea Group, called for enhanced safety standards in maritime operations. The subsequent session, Soft Drivers of Purvodaya, explored non-traditional factors driving maritime growth, such as cultural diplomacy and innovation.
Chaired by Ambassador Ashok Das, IFS and Lily Wangchuk, founder of the Soksoom Centre for Wellbeing and Happiness in Bhutan.
Nick Brooker, Cofounder of IndoGenius, stressed the role of youth engagement and technology in reinvigorating India’s maritime legacy. Making Purvodaya future ready chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport and Housing & Urban development, Government of Odisha, emphasized the future practices of modernizing port infrastructure and fostering global connectivity. Dr.Bikas Pattanaik from Winconsion University, America briefed about the Inland Water Development, Port Linkage and Steel Education, Dr.Pradipta Mohanty, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council and Chairman, SNM Group, Dr.Sameer Patil, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology Observer Research Foundation, called for enhanced safety standards in maritime operations. The final session Heritage and Connectivity: Lessons for the Future explored non-traditional factors driving maritime growth, such as cultural diplomacy and innovation.
Dr.Chandi Prasad Nanda, Director, Odisha Research Centre, Dr.Ajay Pradhan, Senior Consultant, and Pallavi Beriha, Research Scholar, stressed the role of youth engagement and technology in reinvigorating India’s maritime legacy. The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion on heritage and connectivity, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders.
Organized by The Energy Forum (TEF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the conference successfully highlighted India’s historical maritime significance and its relevance in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region.
