Orissa - Culture Snapshot

Content History of Orissa Geography of Orissa Demographics of Orissa Politics of Orissa Culture of Orissa

Language Tourism Tribes Food and Clothing Religion

Economy of Orissa Natural Resources of Orissa Investments in Orissa Social Indicators of Orissa Hurdles to Business in Orissa

History of Orissa

Orissa has a history spanning a period of over 3,000 years.

Ruled by Kalinga, Kosala and Utkala dynasties. The Mughals conquered Orissa in 1576. The coastal section was separated from Bengal

and made into the Province of Bihar and Orissa in 1912, in response to local agitation for a separate state for Oriya-speaking peoples.

In 1936, Bihar and Orissa were split into separate provinces.

Geography of Orissa Orissa lies in its eastern coast. Ninth largest state of India. Area: 155,707Sqkms Forest Land: 58,13,547 sq km (31% - Highest in

India). Surrounded by Jharkhand in north, West Bengal in

north-east, the Bay of Bengal in east, Andhra Pradesh in south and Chhattisgarh in west.

Capital city – Bhubaneswar. Other major cities of the state include Puri, Cuttack,

Sambalpur and Rourkela. Major rivers – Mahanadi, Brahmani, and Baitarani.

Demographics of Orissa Total population of Orissa is 36,706,920. 18,612,340 (50.89%) are male and 18,094,580 (49.11%)

are female. 972 females per 1000 males. Urban Population – 15%, Rural Population – 85% The literacy rate is 63.61% with 75.95% of males and

50.97% of females being literate. Below the poverty line in 1999–2000 was 47.15% which

is nearly double the all India average of 26.10%. Scheduled Castes and Tribes form constituting 38.66% of

the State population.

Politics of Orissa

Caste politics have a deep root in the political structure.

From grassroot politics, Brahmins have a upper hand.

Famous People

Mira Nair – Film Director

Sanjukta Panigrahi – classical Danseuse

Famous People Contd.Manoj Das - Writer

Sam Pitroda – Inventor, Policy maker

Culture of Orissa (Languages) Language – Oriya. Dialects – Midnapori, Balasori, Ganjami,

Desiya, Halbi, Bhatri, Sambalpuri, Kalahandi, Singhbhumi.

Because of the different dialects spoken in the state, there is a high regional divide.

There is a voice for separate state comprises of 9 districts of Western Orissa (Kousal) due to lack of development work by state government.

Investors should keep this in mind during the resource recruitment plan.

Culture of Orissa (Tourism)

Known as a State of Temples. Well known temples are Jagannath

Temple, Lingaraj Temple, and Konark etc.

Major tourist attraction is the dance form Odissi.

Culture of Orissa (Tribes) Adivasis constitutes around 25% of the

total population. Primarily resides in the forest areas, where

active mining and industrialization takes place.

This led to many conflicts. Major examples are POSCO and TISCO – Kalinganagar conflict.

In addition to this the naxals have a close relationship with the tribes.

Investors should be aware of the possible conflicts.

Culture of Orissa (Food & Clothing)

Rice is the staple food. While majority of the population are Hindus

and prefer vegetarian food. Dhoti and Saree is the customary clothing. Women wear a specific hand loomed Saree

known as Sambalpuri Saree. Meher’s caste have a mastery in this art

and are world famous for their suryamukhi design.

Culture of Orissa (Religion) Religion, 94.6% of the population is Hindu,

2.4% is Christian, 2.1% is Muslim. Embracement of Christianity by Tribal

population led to major conflicts between Hindus and Christians (Missionaries).

Example – Hindus – Christians riots in Khandamal district.

Graham Stain’s Murder – Dara Singh.

Economy of Orissa

Agriculture is the mainstay contributing about 28.13% in 2001-02

Agriculture provides direct and indirect employment to around 65% of the total workforce of Orissa much above the all-India figure of 57.4 per cent.

Industrial sector accounts for a mere 9.1 per cent of the total workforce

Natural Resources of Orissa Orissa accounts for about 17 per cent of India's iron ore

reserves Due to its mineral wealth and strategic location it

attracts foreign investment in steel, aluminum, power, refineries, and infrastructure.

Olive ridley sea turtle, thick mangrove swamps, and rich commercial fish stocks have attracted people to the Orissa coastline

Coast is threatened by destructive fishing practices, water pollution by toxic effluents, illegal aquaculture, and the negative fallouts of coastal infrastructure like offshore oil and gas exploration and port development

Investments in Orissa Orissa Economy is witnessing unprecedented

investment, both domestic and foreign. US$50 bn is expected to be invested in the

state for building steel and aluminum producing capacity, power projects, ports, and other infrastructure.

Orissa is also a major outsourcing destination for IT (Information Technology) and IT services firms because of the presence of the educational institutes like XIM, KIIT, NIT, IIT-K, and Vendata University etc.

Social Indicators of Orissa Orissa's per capita income for 2003 was Rs 12,388

against the all-India average of Rs 23,359 Orissa's poverty rate for 1999-2000 was the highest

among all States at 47.15 per cent Human Development Index ranking was 11th. Literacy rate in the State for 2001 was 63.08 per

cent against India's 65.20 per cent Annual growth rate of output for 1993-94 to 2003-

04 was 1.75 per cent significantly lower than the average for the country at 6.19 per cent

Hurdles to Business in Orissa

Environmental concerns and land acquisitions for some of these projects have been opposed by the local people

Religious Unrest POSCO is facing land acquisition

problem. Naxals create problems for upcoming

industries in Orissa

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