Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik to train the youth of Gujarat in sand art.

“The prime minister invited me to train the youngsters of Gujarat in sand art. I have promised the prime minister to go to Gujarat and open a sand art training institute and train the youngsters there,” Pattnaik said in a statement.

During Modi’s visit to the Jagannath temple in Puri on Sunday, Pattnaik presented him a photo of a sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath created by him.

Pattnaik, who created a sand art welcoming Modi to Odisha, said it was a great honour for him to meet the prime minister.

He said the prime minister praised him for his sand art on current topics and social issues.

The Padma Shri recipient artist has participated in more than 50 championships and festivals around the world and won many prizes for the country.