Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), which will take place in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, from January 8–10, 2024, is now undergoing extensive preparations. Today, MLAs, Mayor Sulochana Das, and senior officials attended a preliminary meeting presided over by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra.
In an interview with the media, Minister Mohapatra emphasized the importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which honors Mahatma Gandhi’s January 9, 1915, return to India from South Africa. The event, which was first held in 2003 and has been conducted every two years since 2015 in a modified format, honors the contributions made by Indians living abroad to India’s progress.
“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.
Among the luminaries attending the three-day event are Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second day, President Droupadi Murmu for the closing ceremony, and Home Minister Amit Shah for the inauguration. It is anticipated that more than 5,700 Indian expatriates and representatives from 140 nations will take part. To guarantee a spectacular occasion, the state administration is making every effort. In important tourist destinations like Cuttack, Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Konark, the Home and Tourism Departments are organizing preparations. In addition to the massive beautification of Bhubaneswar, 50 new buses—five of which will be double-decker buses—will be used for transportation.
Smt. Usha Padhi, the principal secretary of housing and urban development, gave a summary of the preparations in the districts of Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar. The BMC Commissioner, MLAs, and the Collectors of Khordha, Puri, and Cuttack are among the important figures supervising the arrangements. Hotels and guesthouses are being prepared by the tourism department to accommodate visitors from abroad. To guarantee a seamless function, Odisha Police has increased security. The occasion will serve as a forum to showcase Odisha’s rich customs, culture, and legacy, making a lasting impression on the world stage.
