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BHUBANESWAR, January 3: The Odisha Government is pulling out all stops to ensure the success of upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, with various departments actively sharing preparations on social media platforms.
In a bid to leave a lasting impression on the international delegates attending this high-profile NRI event, the state government has made comprehensive arrangements. The Department of Industries has deployed 70 senior officers from Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) cadre to assist VVIP delegates including heads of the state and other key administrative and diplomatic officials. These officers will undergo a training session on handling foreign dignitaries from January 3 onwards, to be conducted by a team from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The convention will kick off on January 8 with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The next day, on January 9, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The convention will conclude on January 10 with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards ceremony, where the Hon’ble President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion with her presence and deliver the closing speech. The convention will welcome Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, as the chief guest.
To ensure the event’s grandeur, the state government has allocated Rs 125 crore in the supplementary budget tabled in November 2024. This funding supports the series of events planned by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority, and other state departments. These events include night flea market, tribal fair, food festival, Rajarani Music Festival, Mukteshwar Dance Festival, and Ekamra Mahotsav, all coinciding with the NRI Day celebrations.
Bhubaneswar has been transformed into a cultural showcase with traditional paintings and modern lighting, celebrating its arts and craftsmanship. A unique handloom walkathon will also feature during the event, where models will parade with traditional attire presenting the rich textile heritage of the state.
In preparation for the convention, the Department of Tourism hosted a site familiarization trip for delegates from Malaysia in collaboration with the Indian High Commision office in Malaysia.The Department has identified 31 touristic sites such as Ashokan Relic at Dhauli, Puri Jagannath Temple and Konark Temple to showcase senior diplomatic staff and foreign dignitaries the tourism potential of the state during the three-day event.
Surge in Registration
A total of 3,000 registrations by NRIs have been made till date on the official website of the event. Registration requests for this event have predominantly come from Indian residents of Southeast Asian countries, followed by those from Gulf countries and Europe, with participants from over 50 countries showing interest in this biennial event.
The NRIs registering are primarily from Kerala, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, with a significant number from Odisha itself.
This 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar aligns perfectly with the Government of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Purvodaya Mission’, aiming to promote economic activities in India’s eastern regions and highlight their investment potential.
Odisha’s 482-km coastline facing Southeast Asia presents a significant opportunity. Under the leadership of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, this NRI convention is a golden opportunity for the Odisha government to attract large investments in sectors like tourism, port-based infrastructure, and others.
