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Extensive preparations are underway for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

in International, National December 25, 2024 Comments Off on Extensive preparations are underway for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 228 Views

Bhubaneswar:24/11/24: Extensive preparations are underway for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held in Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, from January 8 to 10, 2024.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra chaired a preparatory meeting today, attended by MLAs, Mayor Sulochana Das, and senior officials.

Speaking to the media, Minister Mohapatra highlighted the significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. Initiated in 2003, the event celebrates the contributions of overseas Indians to India’s development and has been held biennially in a revised format since 2015.

“This is a golden opportunity to showcase Odisha’s culture, history, and heritage on a global platform,” the Minister said, emphasizing the pride of hosting the event. He mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote Odisha during his international engagements, including a recent interaction in Kuwait with a youth from Ganjam.

The three-day event will feature dignitaries including Home Minister Amit Shah at the inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second day, and President Droupadi Murmu for the closing ceremony. Over 5,700 expatriate Indians and delegates from 140 countries are expected to participate.

The state government is pulling out all stops to ensure a grand event. The Home and Tourism Departments are coordinating preparations in key tourist hubs like Cuttack, Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Konark. Bhubaneswar has been beautified extensively, and 50 new buses, including 5 double-decker buses, will be deployed for transportation.

Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Smt. Usha Padhi, provided an overview of preparations across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha districts. Key officials, including MLAs, the BMC Commissioner, and the Collectors of Khordha, Puri, and Cuttack, are overseeing arrangements.

The Tourism Department is preparing accommodations, including hotels and guesthouses, to host overseas guests. Security has been tightened by Odisha Police to ensure a smooth event.

The event will be a platform to highlight Odisha’s rich culture, traditions, and heritage, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

About Editor in chief

Ashok Palit has completed his graduation from Upendranath College Soro, Balasore and post graduation from Utkal University in Odia Language and literture.. He has also carved out a niche for himself as a scribe of eminence after joining the profession in 1988. He is also an independent media production professional. He brings loads of experience to Advanced Media, Ashok Palit as a cineaste has been active in film criticism for over three decades. As a film society activist, he soared to eminence for his profound commitment to the art film appreciation and aesthetics of cinema. His mode of discourse is often erudite but always lucid and comprehensible marked by a perfect acumen so rare in the field. A film aesthete with an immense fond of critical sensibilities, he wrote about growth and development of odia cinema in New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Asian Age and Screen. He has been working as an Editor for Cine Samaya from 2002-2004.. He had made solid contribution on cinema in many odia Dailies and weekly such as Samaj, Prajatantra, Dharatri, Samaya, Satabadi, and weekly Samaya.
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