Puri: Acclaimed sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo has slammed the State government alleging that despite working for development of Odisha tourism for the last 22 years, the latter has neglected him and overlooked his skills.
"Even after working so hard for promotion of the state tourism at national and international levels, I am being neglected in my own land. I have worked with the world's best companies, but it is very unfortunate that the state government has showed step-motherly attitude towards me," he alleged.
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Expressing his discontentment, the sand artist said that the state government neither invites him to participate in the annual International Sand Art Festival nor seeks his views on the proposed sand art park to be set up in the state.
"If this step motherly attitude continues, I would accept proposals from other states to contribute in setting up of an international-level sand art park anywhere in the country to give sand art a special recognition in the world map," he stated.
Meanwhile, Sahoo has created a 12-feet sand sculpture titled 'A Man in Race' at his sand art park near Light House at Puri sea beach.