Puri (Odisha) [India], Renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has created an installation of sand art using around 2,000 lamps to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the message "Welcome" at Puri beach in Odisha on Monday , while speaking to ANI here on Sunday. Sudarshan Patnaik said, "PM Narendra Modi will visit Puri on Monday. To welcome him, I have made sand sculptures of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath and PM Modi." The sand sculpture shows Prime Minister Modi taking blessings from Mahaprabha Shri Jagannath. The sand artist created the sculpture using 2,000 clay lamps and soma flowers. Patnaik was joined by students from his sand art institute to create the 6-foot-tall sand sculpture, which used around 5 tonnes of sand. Patnaik said, "As artists, we are ready to welcome PM Modi through our sand art. He always encourages our art." Till now, Padma awardee artist Sudarshan has participated in more than 6 international sand art competitions and festivals across the world and won accolades for the country. He always tries to spread awareness through his sand art. The sand artist from Odisha has created awareness on many social issues through his art like HIV, AIDS, global warming, stopping terrorism, defeating plastic pollution, COVID-19 and saving the environment.