The ancient maritime festival of Odisha, Bali Jatra, is set to achieve global recognition with its historic debut in the British Parliament this November. The event, Bali Jatra UK 2025, will be hosted at the historic House of Lords, London, on November 14, 2025, marking a landmark moment for Odia culture in Britain’s democracy.
The centuries-old celebration will commence at the House of Lords on November 14 with a dynamic two-day program focusing on the theme: “Ancient Maritime Glory to Sustainable Futures.” This inaugural day will feature international leaders, scholars, and cultural influencers. The festivities will continue on November 15 with an international trade fair and cultural gala in Croydon.
Odisha, historically known as Kalinga, was a formidable maritime power as far back as 400 BCE. Its pioneering seafarers, the Sadhabas, navigated the legendary Boita ships, establishing trade and diplomatic connections with regions including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand – an early example of cross-cultural diplomacy. Today, the annual Bali Jatra in Odisha’s Cuttack continues to celebrate these historic voyages and cultural exchanges.
“This landmark event in the British Parliament ensures Odisha’s maritime legacy and cultural pride take their place on the world stage,” said Organising Secretary Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak FRSA, OSUK (CIC). The initiative is brought to you by Xpertnest, led by British-Odia entrepreneur and philanthropist Arun Kar, whose passion for his home state Odisha has been the driving force behind his visionary and pioneering initiatives.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken many times about India’s historic maritime bonds,” noted Sweta Mohanty, spokesperson for the organising committee.
“By launching Bali Jatra UK 2025 in London, we hope to create not just a celebration, but a vital forum for dialogue on ancient trade, civilisational heritage, and their relevance in contemporary times,” said Mohanty.
Bali Jatra’s legacy extends beyond trade–these maritime routes were true conduits for culture, values, and co-existence. The organisers aim to inspire debate around climate action, sustainability, and South-South cooperation, underscoring the contemporary importance of the Global South–home to most of the world’s population, with booming economies and unmatched cultural wealth.
“This is the lasting symbol of Bali Jatra–shared journeys and a future shaped by collaboration and heritage. Our theme at the House of Lords reflects this spirit: ‘Ancient Maritime Glory to Sustainable Futures,'” added Mohanty.
Bali Jatra UK 2025 is convened by the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom CIC (OSUK CIC), with Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak and Partha Sarathi Panda as Organizing Secretaries, and Ms. Sweta Mohanty as Spokesperson. The event is held in association with Xpertnest.
The organizers also highlighted that Bali Jatra is already inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and this global platform strongly supports the Government of Odisha’s active pursuit of UNESCO recognition.
Leadership and event structure
The Bali Jatra UK 2025 is convened by the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom CIC (OSUK CIC) (Reg no. 15201747), with organising Secretaries Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak FRSA and Partha Sarathi Panda, Spokesperson Ms Sweta Mohanty alongside other OSUK CIC directors : Dipti Mohanty, Salil Kumar Das, Dr Prakash Kumar Dey, Pravat Mishra, Srikanta Kumar Padhi, and Susmita Rajhansha, The core committee –including Subhakant Das, Biren Patnaik, Debi Das, Preeti Rath , Subhranshu Barpanda, Satya Sidhartha, Bishnu Panigrahi, Sitansu Sahoo , Sabita Pradhan, Vikash Pradhan, Minaketan Panda, Ratikant Dwibedi, Bibhuti Patra, Tarun Kumar Das, Subhaprada Sudehna and Rina Meher–played pivotal roles in bringing together this event.
Held in association with Xpertnest (a global leader in digital transformation and sustainable innovation), invitations span Indian and British parliamentarians, UK royal family members, policymakers, business leaders, and academics–testament to the event’s international scope.
Major Programme Highlights of Bali Jatra UK 2025
Day One: House of Lords, British Parliament
– Keynote speeches by invited Heads of State of India, Srilanka, Vietnam, Mynmar, Bangladesh, Maldieves and Nigeria
– High-level panel dialogues on maritime history and sustainable futures
– Awards honouring excellence in heritage and sustainability
Day Two: Croydon Trade Fair and Gala
– International business pavilions with global partners
– Cultural exhibitions and performances
– Food festival with a focus on Odia cuisine
The Global South Maritime Heritage Summit / Bali Jatra UK aims to position maritime heritage as a bridge between history, trade, and sustainability while creating a powerful global platform for dialogue and collaboration. For us, it is about showcasing leadership in convening international stakeholders to explore opportunities in heritage preservation, sustainable innovation, and global commerce. For India, the summit strengthens its maritime legacy and global presence, reinforcing its role as a leader of the Global South and a driver of sustainable economic growth. For Odisha, it is a historic opportunity to spotlight the timeless tradition of Bali Jatra on the world stage, celebrating its rich cultural identity while unlocking new avenues in tourism, trade, and international investment. Importantly, the event is designed to be inclusive, inviting participation from diverse communities across the UK and beyond, and not limited to the Odia diaspora alone.
