Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25 -- Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a special sand sculpture at Puri Beach in Odisha on Saturday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his scheduled visit to the state on October 25, 2026.

The eight-foot-high installation features the message, "WELCOME TO ODISHA, HON'BLE PM SHRI NARENDRA MODI JI". The artwork highlights Odisha's cultural heritage and spiritual identity while reflecting the state's aspirations for progress.

The sculpture brings together a Konark Wheel and a detailed miniature of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Data Centre, symbolising the connection between Odisha's rich heritage and India's progress in science, technology and digital infrastructure. St...