CM Majhi Urges Influencers to Promote Odisha, Counter Misinformation
Synopsis
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called on social media influencers to promote Odisha's cultural heritage and counter misinformation online. The appeal, shared by the Chief Minister's Office on June 23, 2026, aligns with the BJP-led state government's post-2024 agenda of digital outreach and cultural preservation ahead of major festivals like Rath Yatra.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi urged social media influencers to promote Odisha's culture and counter misinformation on digital platforms.
The call was shared by the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha on June 23, 2026 .
Odisha's heritage landmarks, including the Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple , are central to the state's cultural promotion push.
The initiative aligns with the BJP-led government's post- 2024 election agenda focused on digital outreach and tourism growth.
The engagement of influencers ahead of Rath Yatra could amplify Odisha's cultural profile nationally and internationally.
State governments across India have increasingly formalised influencer partnerships under the broader Digital India framework.
The Chief Minister's Office of Odisha on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 shared a call to action from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging social media influencers to champion the state's culture while actively countering misinformation spreading across digital platforms.
Context
CM Majhi addressed influencers with a dual mandate: promote Odisha's rich cultural heritage and serve as responsible voices against false narratives online. The appeal reflects the state government's recognition that digital content creators now occupy a significant role in shaping public perception of the state's identity and governance.
Odisha is home to globally recognised heritage sites including the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Konark Sun Temple, both of which attract millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. The state government, led by the BJP since the June 2024 assembly elections, has made cultural preservation and digital outreach key pillars of its agenda.
Policy Backdrop
State governments across India have increasingly turned to social media influencers as amplifiers for regional promotion, a trend that has accelerated under the national Digital India initiative. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and X have become primary battlegrounds for both heritage storytelling and misinformation, making influencer credibility a matter of policy concern.
Following the 2024 assembly elections, the Odisha government outlined priorities centred on cultural preservation and expanding the state's digital footprint to attract tourism investment. CM Majhi's outreach to influencers fits squarely within this post-election agenda, mirroring similar efforts seen in other states where governments have formalised partnerships with content creators.
Stakeholders and Impact
Social media influencers, particularly those covering travel, culture, and regional lifestyle content, stand at the centre of this initiative. Their reach into younger, digitally active audiences makes them effective vectors for both tourism promotion and narrative correction at a scale that traditional media cannot replicate.
The tourism sector in Odisha stands to benefit directly, as authentic influencer content around festivals, temples, and coastal destinations can drive footfall and economic activity. With Rath Yatra — one of the state's most prominent annual events — approaching, the timing of this engagement carries particular significance for amplifying Odisha's cultural profile nationally and internationally.
What's Next
Observers will watch whether the Chief Minister's Office formalises this engagement into a structured state-level digital campaign, including influencer partnerships tied to upcoming festivals and heritage events. A coordinated rollout ahead of Rath Yatra could serve as a test case for how effectively the state can harness digital voices for cultural diplomacy.
The broader question is whether Odisha will establish clear guidelines or support mechanisms for influencers tasked with countering misinformation — a challenge that requires both institutional backing and digital literacy frameworks to be effective at scale.
Point of View
The administration is effectively deputising civilian voices in a role traditionally held by official communications machinery. This reflects a wider pattern among BJP-ruled states post-2024, where soft power and digital narrative management are treated as extensions of governance. The success of this approach will hinge on whether the state provides structural support to influencers or leaves them to navigate the complex task of fact-checking without institutional backing.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Majhi tell influencers about Odisha?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called on social media influencers to promote Odisha's cultural heritage and actively counter misinformation circulating on digital platforms.
Why is Odisha engaging social media influencers?
The Odisha government is engaging influencers to boost tourism, amplify the state's cultural identity, and address false narratives online, in line with its post-2024 election agenda on digital outreach.
What are Odisha's major cultural heritage sites?
Odisha is home to the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Konark Sun Temple, both UNESCO-recognised heritage landmarks that attract millions of visitors each year.
How does this fit into India's Digital India initiative?
State governments, including Odisha, have increasingly used influencer partnerships as part of the broader Digital India push to leverage online platforms for regional promotion and narrative management.
What upcoming event could benefit from Odisha's influencer drive?
Rath Yatra, one of Odisha's most prominent annual festivals centred on the Jagannath Temple in Puri, is an upcoming event where influencer content could significantly raise the state's cultural profile.
