Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 23: The state government Monday decided to take steps for brand promotion of the Nabakalebar festival.
A high-level review meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here, resolved to direct officials to accord priority to tourists’ accommodation, brand promotion and documentation of the event.
It was decided that tourism, culture, industry and information and technology departments will work together for Orissa’s brand promotion during the mega festival. This being the first Nabakalebar of 21st century, the government will take measures to promote the event through social media, blogs and other media.
The information and public relations department will develop a special web portal for the festival detailing information and history of Jagannath temple, Nabakalebar rituals, traditions, photo gallery, video gallery and related incidents. A Nabakalebar blog will also be developed by the I&PR department. All information will be displayed in both Oriya and English.
Besides, SMS alerts would be transmitted to the tourists during the festival. To preserve the proceedings of the festival, the I&PR department has started producing a documentary film.
It was also decided at the meeting that features on Jagannath rituals and traditions, published in government souvenirs of Utkal Prasang and Orissa Review during the Nabakalebar festivals in 1990,1966, 1977 and 1996 will be reprinted in Oriya and English and released on the day of Snana Purnima.
Expecting an inflow of 40 lakh to 50 lakh tourists at the Holy Town, the government has decided to set up 19 temporary shelters, where facilities such as uninterrupted power and water supply and toilets will be provided.
The state has decided to build 15 permanent public toilet complexes across the city.
