Odisha (English: , Odia: [oɽiˈsa] (listen)), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of Scheduled Tribes in India. It neighbours the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the south. Odisha has a coastline of 485 kilometres (301 mi) along the Bay of Bengal in Indian Ocean. The region is also known as Utkala and is also mentioned in India's national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana". The language of Odisha is Odia, which is one of the Classical Languages of India. The ancient kingdom of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (which was again won back from them by King Kharavela) in 261 BCE resulting in the Kalinga War, coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. The modern boundaries of Odisha were demarcated by the British Indian government when Orissa Province was established on 1 April 1936, consisting of the Odia-speaking districts of Bihar and Orissa Province. The first of April is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa/Odisha Day. Cuttack was made the capital of the region by Anantavarman Chodaganga in c. 1135, after which the city was used as the capital by many rulers, through the British era until 1948. Thereafter, Bhubaneswar became the capital of Odisha. The economy of Odisha is the 16th-largest state economy in India with ₹5.86 trillion (US$73 billion) in gross domestic product and a per capita GDP of ₹127,383 (US$1,600). Odisha ranks 32nd among Indian states in Human Development Index.

Paradeep, also spelt Paradip (originally Paradweep, also spelt Paradwip), is a major seaport city and municipality, 53 km (33 mi) from Jagatsinghpur city in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, India. Paradeep Municipality was constituted as an NAC on 27 September 1979 and converted into a Municipality on 12 December 2002. Paradeep (210 15’ 55-44" N 806 40’ 34-62" E) is the main outlet and inlet of the seaborne trade of the eastern port. It also signaled the economic development of the state, giving impetus to trade and commerce. It has become the gateway of Odisha to the International community. Paradeep has become a hub of industrial activities. Industries like IFFCO, Paradeep Phosphates Limited, CARGILL, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Carbon etc. have been established here. From an administrative view point, Paradeep N.A.C. was constituted vide H & U.D. Department Notification No. 31169, dated 27 September 1979, and became functional with effect from 18 September 1980. Subsequently, Paradeep N.A.C. was upgraded to Municipality under section 424 of Odisha Municipal Act. 1950 vide H. & U.D. Deptt Notification no. 47302/HUD, dated 12 December 2002. The municipality comprises five Revenue Villages, namely Udachandrapur, Chauliapalanda, Sandhakuda, Bijayachandrapur, and Bhitaragarh. In view of increasing population and industrialisation, a proposal to include 15 villages i.e. Paradeep Garh, Niharuni, Niharuni Kandha, Chouki Matha, Udayabata, Nimidiha, Kotakula, Rangiagarh, Nua Sandhakud, Musadiha, Musadiha Jangle, Boitarkuda, Kaudia, Aganasi, and Nuagarh has been sent to state H. & U.D. Department on 11 October 2007 and District Collector, Jagatsinghpur for inclusion. Paradip is 94 km (58 mi) from Cuttack and 125 km (78 mi) from Bhubaneswar. Biju Patnaik International Airport is the nearest and only operational commercial airport to reach Paradip.