January 10th 2025.
On Friday, Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja spoke to the media after the conclusion of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar. He announced that the exhibition, which was set up for the convention, would be open to the public for two more days - January 11 and 12. Ahuja also mentioned that the Chief Minister had made the decision in hopes of attracting more visitors, including students from local schools and colleges.
The convention, which started on January 8 at Bhubaneswar's Janata Maidan, ended with a closing address by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Over the course of the three days, various sessions and meetings were held with the diaspora, along with mesmerizing cultural performances that showcased different art forms from the state.
The convention boasted four exhibition halls, each with its own unique theme. These included Vishwaroop Ram - the Universal Legacy of Ramayana, Diaspora's Contribution to Technology and Viksit Bharat, Spread and Evolution of Indian diaspora, and Heritage and Culture of Odisha. However, the public was only allowed to visit the venue during the exhibition's two additional days, as the first three days were reserved for VVIPs like the President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers.
During the conference, Secretary Arun Kumar Chatterjee explained that the limited access was necessary due to the visiting dignitaries' security. He also mentioned that the state government would consider setting up a special cell or appointing a nodal officer to address the issues faced by non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Odisha.
Ahuja further elaborated on this, stating that the state already has a special cell to cater to the needs of army personnel who are stationed away from home. Therefore, it would only make sense to have a similar setup for NRIs as well. He assured that a proposal would be submitted to the Chief Minister, and a decision would be taken promptly to address the grievances of Pravasi Odias who are living abroad.
Additionally, Ahuja announced that the state would conduct a survey to determine the number of blue-collar workers from Odisha who are working abroad and their current status. This information would help the government in devising ways to better assist and support these workers from the state. The conference concluded with Ahuja expressing his gratitude to all those who made the convention a success.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
