Odisha Manaska Participants Reflect on Tourism’s Power to Shape and Shift Identity

Bhubaneswar, December 14:
All Things Odisha, a Bhubaneswar-based aspiring think tank and collective wisdom platform, hosted the 17th edition of its monthly discussion series Odisha Manaska on Sunday at the head office of ExtraOdinari and Safe Odisha For Her (SOFH) in Saheed Nagar.

With the theme “Does Tourism Help Redefine Our Odia Identity or Put Pressure to Fit an Image?”, participants engaged in a thoughtful exploration of tourism’s influence on cultural identity, community representation, and the evolving narrative of Odisha.

Tourism, one of the world’s most dynamic sectors, bridges people, cultures, and landscapes. It not only fosters meaningful connections but also fuels local and global economies. As mobility increases and societies become more interconnected, tourism continues to shape perceptions of identity and place.

Odisha’s tourism sector is witnessing rapid growth, placing its heritage, ecology, spirituality, and people in the national and global spotlight. While this surge brings economic opportunities and improved infrastructure, it also raises deeper questions about authenticity and representation. The discussion centred on concerns such as: Are we celebrating culture or merely packaging it? Are local communities empowered or displaced? Does tourism reinforce our Odia identity or reshape it into something unfamiliar? Are we focusing on responsible tourism or mindlessly exploring places without paying attention to the negative impacts? Should Odisha remain India’s best kept secret or be explored and exploited in the process?

Participants reflected on how sacred landscapes are turning into destinations, rituals into performances, and fragile ecosystems into commercial spaces. With these changes, Odisha finds itself negotiating between visibility and authenticity. Lack of civic sense and lackadaisical administrative approach to handle large-scale tourism are reflected at all the tourist destinations across the state as garbage and waste materials ruin the beauty of every such spot.

As with every Odisha Manaska session, attendees were encouraged to share thoughts rooted in lived experience while maintaining the circle’s democratic spirit of respectful, inclusive, and equitable dialogue.

The session was facilitated by Sandip Bal and Sonali Priyadarsini, who guided discussions on Odisha’s tourism potential and its impact on local economy, culture, heritage, lifestyle, and environment.

Participants included Monalisa Padhee, Soumya Ranjan, Anant Prasad, Arya, Nachiketa, Aditya, Khitish, Stutee, and Alka.

Known for its rich thematic curation and vibrant conversations, the monthly Odisha Manaska circle has engaged hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds and has earned wide appreciation for fostering reflective dialogue on Odisha and identity.

Launched in August 2024 by All Things Odisha, Odisha Manaska serves as a physical platform dedicated to collective wisdom-sharing on issues relating to identity, culture, and lived experiences.