Famous Sand Artist Celebrates National Growth Before Budget Speech
As the nation prepares for the financial roadmap of the year, Odisha’s golden sands are already celebrating. Renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has crafted a massive sand sculpture on Puri beach to mark the arrival of the Union Budget 2026. This creative tribute features the themes "Welcome Union Budget 2026" and "Viksit Bharat," drawing large crowds of locals and tourists to the shoreline.
Through his intricate work, Pattnaik has depicted India’s recent strides in key sectors like agriculture and infrastructure. The sculpture serves as a visual greeting to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman just before she presents the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha. Pattnaik is widely respected for using his talent to highlight significant national milestones, and this latest piece is no exception.
The official Budget presentation is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. today. Minister Sitharaman will outline the government's estimated spending and revenue for the 2026-27 financial year. Beyond the numbers, she will also present the Medium-Term Fiscal Policy and the Macro-Economic Framework Statement, ensuring transparency under the FRBM Act.
Financial experts are keeping a close eye on the figures. Reports suggest the Finance Minister might introduce a Rs 54.1 lakh crore budget, reflecting a growth of nearly 8% compared to last year. This substantial increase in total expenditure indicates a strong push for economic development. Following the speech, the Finance Bill 2026 will be introduced to formalize these economic proposals.
The current Budget session is set to be a marathon event, lasting 65 days with 30 working sittings. After the initial presentations, Parliament will take a brief recess starting February 13, giving committees time to review specific ministry demands before concluding the session on April 2.
With Agency Inputs and Imag Source: ANI
