Government prepares to welcome tycoons in style

BHUBANESWAR: The state government is geared up to provide a red carpet welcome to industry captains at the Make in Odisha conclave that begins here on Wednesday. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and tourism department fine-tuned the city beautification drive and hospitality arrangements for the guests respectively. The three-day conclave will end on December 2.
Official sources said around 1000 firms from different sectors, including many startups, would participate in the conclave. Investors in Smart City development, skill development and food processing sectors have expressed interest in the conclave - one of the biggest investor meets in the history of Odisha.
The tourism department has booked 920 rooms in several hotels at Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for their comfortable stay. However, the department did not confirm whether the visitors will be provided free accommodation.
After day-long sessions on business, the delegates will get to see Odisha's rich art, craft, culture, dance and cuisine. "We will arrange traditional dance and music shows at a star hotel in the evening for three days. Eminent artists would perform. Local cuisine will be served to the guests," said a tourism department officer.
The business delegates will also be taken to Konark, about 60 from here, to watch state-sponsored Konark Festival, starting December 1. "We have arranged 10 luxurious buses for the guests. Special sitting arrangements for nearly 500 guests would be made at Konark Festival where they will view different Indian classical dance and music forms," the officer said.
The guests are also scheduled to visit a sand art festival on the Chandrabhaga beach. Foreign artists will also participate in the sand art festival.
The BMC gave finishing touches to the beautification of different routes connecting to the conclave venue - Janata Maidan near Jayadev Vihar.
"We repainted the medians between Air Port Square and Nandankanan. Ornamental trees have been planted and beautiful statues installed at some points. Some prominent buildings will be illuminated. The roads have been repaired and potholes filled," city mayor A N Jena said. BMC also engaged its squads to catch stray dogs and cattle from around Janata Maidan.