The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is scheduled for January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
17 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) have already been held. The previous one was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Each year, there is a theme for the event.
The theme of the 17th PBD Convention was "Diaspora: Trusted Allies for India's Advancement in Amrit Kaal."
This is the first time Odisha is hosting this event.
Odisha has several sites linked with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
However, these sites are unknown; even the famous ones are not included in the heritage map, route/trail, or circuit.
Let us take the Ramayana Circuit, for example.
Significantly, the Indian Government is taking steps to include all the sites related to the Ramayana. This welcome initiative will link and connect many devotees while helping forge cultural connections.
The Railway Ministry has introduced the "Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train."
प्रभु श्रीराम से जुड़े सभी महत्वपूर्ण धार्मिक स्थलों के दर्शन हेतु आज से भारतीय रेल चलाएगी रामायण सर्किट ट्रेन। जय श्री राम! pic.twitter.com/VWVE5Bms14
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) November 7, 2021
However, there is exclusion of some sites of Odisha like the Mahendragiri.
Great to find “Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” @RailMinIndia.
— Anita Sabat - ଡ. ଅନୀତା ସାବତ (@anitaexplorer) June 21, 2022
But, there’s exclusion of Mahendragiri in the #RamayanCircuit.
Please include Odisha too.
Sites are linked with Ramayana #IncredibleIndia #dekhoapnadesh #VocalForLocal #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav https://t.co/pjlqxxTcGR pic.twitter.com/DIdf5Mbhsq
It was the
hottest-ever summer.
Liza had
never experienced such scorching heat.
Liza wasn't
prepared for what she saw next.
The sea receded
at least a kilometer away from their home on the beach!
Photo Prompt- Lisa Fox
Notable was the stump of a tree that was visible.
Their meeting was a coincidence.
Or perhaps destiny had special plans to bring them
together.
Otherwise, why would they have met in the theater,
seated side by side, to watch "The Special Ship" movie?
He asked her for a date at the promenade.
She agreed.
They saw the same special ship there!
Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot
It seemed like the ship had been shipped from Heaven for them!
It stopped in front of them.
Richy felt totally lost.
The signboards did not help.
She could not understand the local language.
Richy could not blame anyone.
The decision to visit this foreign city was entirely hers.
She thought she would see and learn new things.
But, this was such a challenging exercise...
 |
| Photo Prompt- Lori Wilson |
And then she remembered!
Today is a very auspicious day- The Dwadasi of Bhadra i.e. "the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra" is celebrated as "Bamana Janma" & "Onam."
Today is the tithi birthday of my father, Shri A.K.Sabat Finance Guru - CA AK Sabat.
Papa was born on this day (& not date).
May Mahaprabhu bless him with great health and happiness and fulfill all his wishes🙏
 |
| Papa at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Agara, Bengaluru |
They had set their eyes & dreams,
They wanted to explore new realms!
They had to conquer the seas,
They were willing to pay hefty fees.
The sea seemed vast and rough,
They were intrepid and tough.
They constructed vessels to sail,
Skills & constant efforts never fail!
 |
| Pattachitra - Art of Odisha depiciting Bali Jatra |
"I’ve checked each and every box; there’s
no trace of the drugs."
The officer-in-charge, O, told the detective,
D.
 |
| Photo Prompt- David Stewart |
"O! Don't you know? This is a smart move
by the drug cartel to make the case slow!"
"Think out of the box; don't go with the flow!"
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is hailed as the "Second Buddha".
He belonged to Uddiyana or Oddiyana. That is why he is called- Uddiyana Guru Padmasambhava.
Uddiyana refers to Odisha, India.
 |
| Book by Sri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik;BK Publications |
As per the Wikipedia-
Guru Padmasambhava's place of birth is disputed.
Most scholars believe he was born in the Swat Valley, Pakistan.
While on a long car journey,
little Chiku was impressed with the signboards.
There were quite a number.
 |
| Photo Prompt - Dale Rogerson |
He was excited to read them aloud.
When their car stopped to make
way for a gaggle of geese on the road, he read- 'Art Gallery.'
 |
| Photo Prompt - Jennifer Pendergast |
