Bhubaneswar, Dec 31 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from January 8 for three days.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who reviewed the preparations on Tuesday, said the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a significant opportunity to showcase the rich art, culture, and heritage of Odisha to the world.
He mentioned that approximately 7,000 guests from across the country and abroad are expected to attend the event. So far, 2,748 participants have registered.
The President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, will be the chief guest.
Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be attending the event.
On this occasion, PM Modi will inaugurate the 'Prabhas Bharatiya Express,' Chief Minister Majhi stated.
To ensure security and smooth operations, a large number of high-security personnel, including 250 traffic controllers and 140 liaison officers, have been deployed. Additionally, the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to provide a pleasant and harmonious experience for the visitors.
The capital city, Bhubaneswar, will host several events, including Path Utsav, Ekamra Utsav, and the Adivasi Mela .
Chief Minister Majhi has directed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Housing and Urban Development Department to prioritize sanitation and beautification efforts in and around Bhubaneswar. The Department of Literature, Culture, and Tourism has organized various programs to highlight Odisha's cultural heritage, such as the Rajarani Sangeet Utsav, Odissi Dance, Mukteswar Dance Festival, and National Dance Festival, all of which will be broadcast live on Doordarshan.
Arrangements have been made to take guests to around 31 tourist destinations, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Konark.
At Janata Maidan, the event venue, a pavilion will be set up to showcase Odisha's rich history and culture, including exhibits on Shri Jagannath culture, the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka's transformation from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka, the historic Baliyatra, and other significant events. A digital exhibition will also be organized.
Over 200 foreign journalists, YouTubers, and bloggers from seven countries will participate in the event.
The preparatory meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Bardhan Singh Deo and Parvathi Parida, Law and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Home and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryavansi Suraj, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and other senior officials from various departments
UNI DP BD