A review meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, took place at Lok Seva Bhavan last Wednesday to assess the preparations for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This event is scheduled to occur at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10, 2025.
To ensure the success of this triennial program, various meetings have been held at different stages. Departmental secretaries, who are members of several sub-committees, discussed their progress during the meeting, focusing specifically on preparations for the event.
Groundwork for the event began on December 9, with arrangements made for seating, vehicle parking, food, and other necessities. The Industries Department provided an update on their progress, while the Department of Odia Language and Literature and Culture finalized the cultural programs for the occasion.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will feature a range of cultural events, including the Raja Rani Music Festival, Mukteswar Dance Festival, International Odissi Dance Festival, and Flower Exhibition at Ekamra Kanan, which will take place from January 7 to 11. Additional events include the Adivasi Mela, Chilika Bird Festival, Food Festival, Path Utsav, and Night Flea Market, scheduled from January 5 to 15.
The event will be inaugurated on January 8 with the Yuva Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, followed by the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Conference on January 9. The Pravasi Bharatiya Puraskar Samman ceremony is set for January 10.
To ensure widespread dissemination of the program, the State Information and Public Relations Department will prepare a media plan. Additionally, beautification efforts for 55 highways and the establishment of traffic control, safety, and security systems are currently in progress.
Accommodation has been arranged for the Indian diaspora attending the conference, with rooms booked at various hotels. The tourism department is also focusing on beautifying 28 places of interest in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri.
The Department of Commerce and Transport presented their preparations at the Bhubaneswar airport, while the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department discussed ongoing preparations for the exhibition in 40 designated stalls.
Beautification work is underway at the State Museum, Rabindra Mandap, Bhanja Kala Mandap, Harekrushna Mahatab State Library, and Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. Efforts are being made to improve the roads connecting Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark, and Chilika.
