Bhubaneswar:
The third edition of the international conference Purvodaya Perspectives emerged as a powerful platform for reimagining Eastern India’s role in India’s economic resurgence, maritime engagement, and regional leadership, with policymakers and experts strongly advocating problem-solving, innovation-driven, and knowledge-based development as the foundation for achieving the national vision of Vikshit Bharat.
Speakers underlined that Eastern India holds the key to India’s next phase of growth, particularly through nurturing local talent, building strong startup ecosystems, and enabling youth-led innovation. Emphasis was laid on ensuring that development strategies are rooted in regional strengths while being aligned with national and global priorities.
Focus on Regional Connectivity and Neighbourhood Cooperation
Addressing the conference, Ambassador Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma highlighted the strategic importance of India–Nepal relations, calling for enhanced physical and digital connectivity, expansion of cross-border trade, and institutionalised regional cooperation. He noted that closer collaboration between the two nations would not only boost economic growth but also strengthen people-to-people ties and regional stability.
Purvodaya, Act East and Indo-Pacific Convergence
Speaking on the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, Ms. Aparna Ray elaborated on the convergence between the Purvodaya vision, India’s Act East Policy, and the Indo-Pacific framework. She emphasized that Eastern India’s coastline, ports, and industrial corridors provide a natural gateway for India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Reaffirming institutional commitment, Shri Sidhartha Pradhan stated that The Economic Forum (TEF) is dedicated to positioning Eastern India as a key stakeholder in India’s external trade, maritime cooperation, and regional value chains. He stressed that strategic investments in ports, logistics, and coastal infrastructure will be critical to realizing this ambition.
High-Level Thematic Sessions
The two-day conference featured four high-impact thematic sessions that examined Eastern India’s development trajectory from multiple dimensions:
Purvodaya and the Indo-Pacific: Aligning infrastructure, trade routes, and economic corridors to enhance regional integration.
From SAGAR to MAHASAGAR: Exploring India’s expanding maritime partnerships and evolving oceanic diplomacy.
Blue Economy and Sustainability: Advancing cooperation in fisheries, renewable energy, coastal resilience, and marine conservation.
Frontier Technologies: Assessing the role of artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and emerging technologies in shaping the Purvodaya vision.
These sessions brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, strategic thinkers, and academics who deliberated on policy reforms, investment frameworks, and technological pathways required to unlock Eastern India’s full potential.
Investing in Youth and Ideas
A major highlight of the conference was the Purvodaya Young Thinkers Meet, which convened 30 promising young participants from across the country. The young thinkers interacted virtually with Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and will receive long-term mentorship from a panel of distinguished experts.
The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders and innovators capable of driving socio-economic transformation, technological advancement, and sustainable development in Eastern India.
Strong Participation and National Attention
The conference saw the participation of over 400 eminent personalities, including representatives from universities, research institutions, policy think tanks, startups, and industry bodies. The strong turnout reaffirmed Purvodaya Perspectives’ status as a premier national and international forum for policy dialogue, strategic thinking, and knowledge exchange.
Reclaiming Eastern India’s Historic Leadership
Purvodaya Perspectives envisions a future where Eastern India reclaims its historic role as a hub of trade, culture, and maritime power. Now in its third edition, the annual conference continues to shape policy discourse, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and explore innovative pathways for sustainable, inclusive, and maritime-led development.
With its focus on connectivity, innovation, youth empowerment, and regional collaboration, Purvodaya Perspectives 2025 has laid a strong foundation for positioning Eastern India as a central pillar of India’s economic, strategic, and geopolitical future.
