Bhubaneswar: Tourism department launched an initiative seeking volunteers from diverse backgrounds for the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from Jan 8 to 10.
According to the tourism department, the selected volunteers will be tasked with showing the NRI delegates around 30 tourist destinations while sharing Odisha’s cultural heritage.
“We want interested people, mostly students, to interact with the NRI delegates and visitors from across the globe who will be attending the PBD convention. The volunteers will be the voice that shares the stories and heritage of the state,” a senior tourism official said.
The department has released an online application form for volunteer engagement for the three days. Priority consideration will be given to students and professionals demonstrating strong communication abilities and voluntary service experience. Individuals proficient in multiple Indian and foreign languages may receive additional consideration, according to department sources.
Selected volunteers will guide visitors through significant locations including Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Puri Blue Flag Beach, Pipili, Satapada Chilika Lake, Lingaraj Temple, Ananta Basudeva Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Khandagiri and Udayagiri, Kalabhoomi, Chausathi Yogini, Dhauli, Odisha State Museum, Rabindra Mandap, Odisha Tribal Museum, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Barabati Fort, Silver City Boat Club, Netaji Birthplace Museum, Museum of Justice, Odisha State Maritime Museum, Maniabandha, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri.
Volunteers will work alongside professional guides at tourist sites visited by delegates. Both guides and volunteers will receive training in communication skills for conducting tours, providing historical and cultural information, and addressing visitor enquiries.
On Tuesday, deputy chief minister and tourism minister Pravati Parida conducted a review meeting in Puri regarding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas preparations with senior officials. She instructed the district administration and police to ensure smooth arrangements for delegate visits and directed the Puri municipality to implement a cleanliness campaign around the temple, on the beach, and remove cattle from streets.
“Though the PBD event will be held in Bhubaneswar, the bulk of the delegates will visit various tourist sites in Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. The visitors will be given a warm welcome,” Parida said.