By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Odisha State Chapter marked the end of an era as Shri Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, retired senior IPS officer and former Odisha Director General of Police, stepped down from his role as State Convenor on May 20. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, INTACH organized a special felicitation ceremony at the Hotel New Marian in Bhubaneswar.
Shri Tripathy’s 18-year long tenure witnessed a transformative journey for INTACH Odisha. Under his leadership, the organization expanded from a single Bhubaneswar chapter to a vibrant network of 13 chapters across the state. His vision and commitment played a pivotal role in identifying and documenting over 5,000 neglected heritage sites throughout Odisha, contributing significantly to the preservation and promotion of the state’s rich cultural legacy.
Some of the notable initiatives completed during his tenure include the extensive documentation of the historic Jagannath Sadak (from Kolkata to Puri), the Mahanadi and Prachi river valley civilizations, the tribal heritage and Kerang sarees of Koraput, and the sacred temple tanks of Bhubaneswar. Most recently, INTACH undertook the documentation of “Relics of Kalinga in South India, Part-I” shedding light on Odisha’s far-reaching cultural influence.
The INTACH Conservation Centre also restored numerous rare palm leaf manuscripts during this period, safeguarding centuries-old knowledge and artistry. Additionally, INTACH played a crucial role in the restoration and preservation of significant heritage landmarks such as the Odisha State Maritime Museum in Jobra (Cuttack), the ancestral home of Jankinath Bose in Puri, the Sambalpur Town Hall, George Library in Balangir, the Museum of Justice in Cuttack, the High Court Archive Museum & many more.
Shri Tripathy has been a vocal advocate for heritage conservation. His scholarly articles and public interventions highlighted urgent issues facing iconic sites like Sisupalgarh and Konark, drawing attention to the need for sustainable preservation strategies. INTACH officials have confirmed that the announcement of the new State Convenor will be made shortly.
