Bhubaneswar is all set to hold the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, jointly organized by the ministry of external affairs and the Odisha government. On a broader note, the new BJP government in the state has decided to hold three important events – Rajarani Music Festival, Mukteswar Dance Festival and International Odissi Festival – simultaneously with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations.

The gala event will be held in the heart of the state capital from January 8-10 next year and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The concluding event is likely to be felicitated by President Droupadi Murmu.

According to sources, an estimated Rs 120 billion will be spent on the mega event, which will be shared equally by the Odisha government and the external affairs ministry.

The three flagship Odia events have long been held between November and January. Rajarani and Mukteswar festivals lasted for three days. A source in the state government said that this time the dates have been adjusted to coincide with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

“The Chief Minister is showing keen interest in the programme. It will be a mega event. Another source from the state’s language, literature and culture department said that Bhubaneswar will be thronged with both national and international tourists and delegates.

The source added that the BJP has been planning to “put Bhubaneswar on the world map” ever since it took over the reins of Odisha from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Ahead of the events, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation embarked on the beautification of the city. All major museums, auditoriums and cultural centers are being renovated.

This effort is also part of the government’s plans to establish itself as the flag bearer of Odia asmita. This was one of the poll plots used by the BJP to dethrone Naveen Patnaik by targeting his Tamilian lieutenant VK Pandian, who was perceived as the former chief minister’s political successor.

The construction of Odia Asmita Bhawan, described as mini Odisha, has already been given the green light. The campus will be spread over five acres in the capital. The initial cost estimate is around Rs 300 billion and the project will take at least three years to complete.

While the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) has been tasked to build the bhawan, renowned architect Bimal Patel, who designed the new Parliament House, the Central Vista Project in Delhi, the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project, is also expected to do it. to be included.

“There will be a museum, translation center, library, cafeteria, parking lot and all kinds of representations of our culture and districts on the campus. “The entire Odisha will be under one roof,” an official said.

Interestingly, the government will discontinue the World Odia Language Conference, which the previous BJD government had launched in February this year and promised as an annual event. This was perceived by the BJP and a section of the public as an attempt by the BJD to counter the Odia asmita narrative ahead of the assembly elections.