Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a move aimed at boosting public awareness and participation through creative outreach.
Known for his globally acclaimed sand art, Pattnaik is expected to use his medium to educate citizens about the importance of the national census and encourage widespread engagement.
Key Features of Census 2027
The upcoming Census will be the 16th Census of India and is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s administrative and political framework. It will include the collection of data on caste and socio-economic status, which could influence future policy decisions, welfare schemes and constituency delimitation.
Digital-First Approach in Odisha
In Odisha, preparations are already underway, with the census operation scheduled to begin in April. Officials said that nearly 90% of the process will be conducted digitally, marking a significant shift towards technology-driven data collection.
Citizens will also have the option to submit their information online, making the process more accessible, efficient and transparent.
Boosting Public Participation
Authorities believe that appointing a widely respected cultural figure like Pattnaik will help bridge the communication gap and ensure that people across urban and rural areas understand the importance of participating in the census.
The initiative reflects the government’s effort to combine art, technology and governance to enhance awareness and ensure the success of one of the country’s most important national exercises.
-OdishaAge
