Programs and Events 2013
Odisha | January 16, 2013
Ambassador Powell visits Odisha
On her first visit to Odisha as America’s chief diplomat in Delhi, Ambassador Nancy J. Powell met political officials and business executives, among others to get a sense of the state. She also paid a courtesy call on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
At a dinner hosted by Baijayant Panda, Ambassador Powell interacted with future leaders of Odisha and discussed issues pertinent to the younger generation of Indian politicians and leaders. Taking time out from various meetings, she visited the Chilika Lake to observe its ecosystem. During her interaction with Dr. Ajit Kumar Pattnaik, CEO, Chilika Development Authority, he explained to Ambassador Powell the efforts taken by the Odisha Government to protect the unique ecosystem of the lake and how they restored the wetlands.
Ambassador Powell also met IVLP alum Yugabrata Kar and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik during her brief visit to the Puri. Kar explained the “model beach” concept he is developing, which he calls a “pro-poor” tourism initiative aimed at employing local people from underprivileged backgrounds. Pattnaik created a special sand sculpture commemorating her visit, with world peace as the theme.
Ambassador Powell visited the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, where she inaugurated the first Centre for American Studies in Odisha and interacted with professors from Ravenshaw University and KIIT to discuss education. Ambassador Powell also interacted with students of the English Access Microscholarship Program, where she celebrated the graduation of close to 100 students.
Ambassador Powell met with around 20 members of the Mahila Arogya Samiti, a women’s group mobilized by the USAID-supported Health of the Urban Poor (HUP) project. The women’s group advocates for greater access to maternal and child health services in the area.
Reaching out through Odisha’s largest private news network, OTV, Ambassador Powell amplified her priorities for the U.S.-India bilateral relationship. During the interview with the channel’s Chief Editor, Soumyajit Pattnaik, she emphasized the growing economic partnership and cooperation on counterterrorism and disaster preparedness.