Preparations in full swing for 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Jan 1: President Christine Carla Kangaloo of Trinidad and Tobago will serve as the chief guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, set to take place in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10. This announcement was made during a review meeting on event preparations, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Tuesday.

During her visit, Kangaloo is expected to engage with students at Godibari Government School in Chandaka. The event will also feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, alongside notable attendees such as Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat.

The Chief Minister emphasized that this event presents an excellent opportunity to showcase Odisha's art and culture on an international stage, urging all involved to ensure the best possible experience for the attendees. Approximately 7,000 guests from India and abroad are anticipated, with 2,748 already registered, including over 200 NRIs, YouTubers, and bloggers from seven countries.

To facilitate the visitors, extensive security measures will be in place, with 250 traffic controllers and 140 liaison officers appointed. Guests will enjoy guided tours to 31 prominent tourist sites in Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri, and Cuttack, along with various cultural performances that will be broadcast live on Doordarshan. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, along with other ministers and senior officials.