Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Invites Indian Diaspora to Invest in Odisha with Nodal Minister Support

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited the Indian diaspora to invest in Odisha. He announced plans to appoint a nodal minister to facilitate interactions with interested NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin. This announcement was made during the closing session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, attended by President Droupadi Murmu, who is also from Odisha.

Majhi expressed his desire for the diaspora's involvement in promoting Odia culture globally. He stated, "The Pravasis who want to engage with the state for projects, investment and others, will be supported and facilitated. I am elated to announce that my government will appoint a nodal minister from the department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture for this purpose." The chief minister emphasised the importance of collaboration to showcase Odisha's cultural heritage worldwide.

Investment Opportunities in Odisha

During the convention, Majhi met with Ravi Kumar S, CEO of US-based IT giant Cognizant. He assured Kumar of full support for developing Cognizant's largest campus in India, located in Odisha. The government plans to allocate land in Bhubaneswar for this project. Majhi also encouraged the Odia diaspora to consider establishing their ventures in the state, promising similar backing.

The chief minister highlighted the significance of engaging with the diaspora during their visit to Odisha. He urged them to propose projects, assuring comprehensive support from the state government. "It is a great opportunity for us to meet the diaspora in our state and the government does not want to miss it. Therefore, I appeal to you to come up with projects and the state government will provide all support," he said.

Cultural Celebrations and Future Visits

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was a landmark event for Bhubaneswar, adorned with vibrant lights and cultural performances. Majhi described it as "historic" for the city. He mentioned additional events like a sea beach festival at Puri and a bird festival at Chilika, urging attendees to return to Odisha for future visits.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to action, Majhi encouraged attendees to invite foreign friends to explore India's rich art, culture, architecture, spirituality, and hospitality. "I request all of you to please bring at least five of your foreigner friends, to pay a visit to India, as well as to Odisha," he said.

Acknowledgements and Gratitude

Majhi congratulated recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards during the event. He expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for their contributions in making the convention successful. Additionally, he thanked President Droupadi Murmu for her presence at the valedictory session.

The convention marked its first occurrence in Odisha, bringing joy and optimism among attendees. Majhi noted that their presence had brightened Odisha's atmosphere with love and trust like never before.