Bhumi pujan for 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention held in Bhubaneswar

The Odisha Government is set to host the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention from January 8 to January 10, 2025. 

As part of the preparations for this major event, a Bhumi Pujan ceremony took place on Monday at Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar, officially marking the commencement of the arrangements.

The ceremony was attended by key officials, including Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Department of Industries, and Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Managing Director of IPICOL and IDCO. 

The PBD Convention "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat" will be the congregation of the Indian global community. 

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the convention, President Droupadi Murmu will address the valedictory session of the event wherein she will be giving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to distinguished members of the Indian diaspora.   A specific youth edition, in association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will engage the young leaders from the diaspora.

The event will be even more meaningful as NRIs from around the world will participate, pointing out their roles in India's development.

Speaking at a media briefing, Hemant Sharma said the event structure has several layers. He said it's likely to host between 7,000 and 10,000 delegates including international dignitaries as well as top Indian officials while the event will be taken care of with stringent security measures. 

"This mega event will project Odisha's rich cultural heritage to a global audience and is particularly focused on engaging the youth diaspora to add greater value to India," he said.

Bhupendra Singh Poonia shared details about the all-round preparations being made for the event. He said that all departments are working in coordination to make it a huge success. 

"The government is committed to making this event a grand success. As participants are coming from all over the world, special provisions have been made for accommodations, transportation as well as traffic management so that it all goes without a glitch," he said.

A testimony to the Prime Minister's visionary leadership and commitment of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the event aims at strengthening the bonding of the global Indian diaspora with celebrating their contribution to the progress of the nation.