A blueprint for Odisha's orange economy

In upcoming investment meets, whether in Odisha or beyond, the government must prioritise enterprise interests in culture and creativity as a key agenda.

- Charudutta Panigrahi

PM Modi's vision of making India a global hub for music, film, and gaming presents a strategic opportunity for Odisha—a call for the state to take a calculated deep dive into the sector. His recent emphasis on orange economy at WAVES, addressing filmmakers, artists, musicians, and investors, underscores the promise it holds.

Odisha is uniquely positioned to become a leader in this space. With abundant land and infrastructure, a culturally seamless foundation, a relatively less complex bureaucracy, and an innate dexterity among its communities, Odisha offers advantages few other states can match. What is missing is sharp planning and strategic execution. Whether under Odisha 2036 or Viksit Odisha 2047, seasoned industry experts, professionals, and institutions must be included in shaping policy. Innovation will come from practitioners who have risked high stakes in their vocations, careers, and startups not just theoreticians.