Odisha’s Maritime Glory Sails into the UK Parliament — Bali Jatra UK 2025 Unites the Global South at the House of Lords
In partnership with Xpertnest and organised by OSUK CIC, the summit blended heritage, innovation, and sustainability — strengthening India–UK relations and fostering circular economy dialogue across continents London/Bhubaneswar: Bali Jatra, one of India’s most storied and revered maritime festivals, was celebrated at the prestigious House of Lords as part of the Global South Maritime Heritage Summit 2025. The event was organised by the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom (OSUK) CIC (Registration No. 15201747) and powered by XpertNest, under the leadership of the organising team comprising Capt. Arun Kar, Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak FRSA, Mr. Partha Sarathi Panda, and Ms. Sweta Mohanty. The two-day event marked a historic first as it commenced within the UK Parliament with the 115 esteemed guests including Lord Rami Ranger, Lord Roger Evans, UK Member of Parliament Louie French, Shadow Minister for Sport and Culture, Prof. Seyed Kamiar Mohaddes Ardebili, Director, Cambridge Judge Business School and Prof. Ajit Vijaykumar Jaokar, Director, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Oxford University, former Members of Parliament; councillors from both the Conservative and Labour parties; and Members of the London Assembly. Distinguished delegates also joined from Srilanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, India including members of Labour Friends of Southeast Asia and the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Indonesia—as well as from Nigeria, Spain, USA, China, Italy and United Kingdom. With more than 115 dignitaries and thought leaders in attendance, the summit was enriched by inspiring addresses from UK parliamentarians, institutional leaders from India, and representatives from across the Global South, who collectively underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving a circular economy and sustainable innovation. It marked the beginning of a renewed dialogue between nations of the Global South, driven by India’s leadership and the UK’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity. This landmark event not only honoured Odisha’s glorious maritime past but also lit the path toward a new future — one where heritage meets technology, and where the spirit of the Global South sails forward through sustainability, collaboration, and shared growth. The summit began with a captivating Odissi dance performance by Mr Avirup Sengupta and his student, Miss Adwiti Tripathy Pattnayak, setting a graceful cultural tone for the event. This was followed by a pledge led by OSUK CIC spokesperson Ms. Mohanty, with all delegates standing together to affirm their commitment during the ceremony. “We, the citizens and friends of the Global South, pledge to honour our ancient maritime links that once connected our civilisations through trade, culture, and shared values. We commit ourselves to preserving and carrying forward this legacy by pursuing sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation for generations to come. We pledge to strengthen the bridges between our nations — through respect for diversity, environmental stewardship, and shared prosperity. From ancient maritime glory to sustainable futures, we sail together — united in purpose, guided by history, and anchored in hope.” A major highlight of the summit was the announcement the organising secretarybyDr. Pattnayak of plans to establish a “Global South Corridor,” envisioned to revive and strengthen ancient economic and cultural linkages among Global South nations. Delegates from participating countries expressed keen interest in seeing this initiative materialise in the coming year. Dr. Pattnayak also noted that Bali Jatra has already been included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and the Government of Odisha is actively working toward UNESCO recognition. He called upon the global community to extend their support in achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for Bali Jatra, emphasising that the creation of the Global South Corridor will further advance this effort by promoting Odisha’s vibrant maritime legacy on the international stage. Another Organisingsecretary, Mr. Partha Sarathi Panda, highlighted that the Odia diaspora in the United Kingdom numbers around 12,000, comprising doctors, scientists, and engineers who contribute significantly to both the UK and Indian economies. He noted that the community is also actively engaged in social and environmental initiatives, including supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” mission by planting trees in India. During Christmas, members of the diaspora distribute food to homeless individuals in Kent and have even extended humanitarian assistance, such as helping ensure the safe delivery of a baby born to a mother affected by leprosy. The summit also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on sustainability, with Professor Jaorkar from the University of Oxford, Professor Kamiar from the University of Cambridge, and leading maritime expert Commander Biswajit Nayak. T
