Odisha Boy Welcomes PM Modi in Norway with ‘Jai Jagannath’

Oslo/Bhubaneswar: In a proud moment for Odisha, Kaustuv Samal from Kendrapara represented the state during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway.

Selected by the Indian Embassy in Oslo, Kaustuv greeted the Prime Minister with the traditional salutation “Namaskar, Jai Jagannath,” showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.

Dressed in a Sambalpuri kurta, Kaustuv stood alongside fellow Odia representative Saina, who wore a Sambalpuri saree. Their attire highlighted Odisha’s traditional handloom and cultural identity on an international stage.

The event witnessed the participation of nearly 600 members of the Indian diaspora, who gathered to welcome PM Modi. The Prime Minister’s Norway trip formed part of his five-nation European tour, aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, innovation, clean energy, and strategic partnerships.

Kaustuv described the opportunity as unforgettable, saying it was “beyond words” to meet the Prime Minister and represent Odisha abroad.