Odisha: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas under tight security; Police mascot ‘HAPFY’ unveiled

Bhubaneswar is preparing to host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 8, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend on January 9. President Droupadi Murmu will grace the celebration on January 10. In anticipation, the Commissionerate Police has implemented stringent security measures to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.

During a dedicated meeting at the Commissionerate Police headquarters, Police Commissioner Suresh Devdutta Singh and Additional Commissioner Uma Shankar Das reviewed the security plans. Ahead of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, the Commissionerate Police launched a mascot named HAPFY – helping and active police for you.

Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh stated that HAPFY, dressed in a khaki uniform, embodies the city police’s commitment to safety, service, and accessibility. “The mascot HAPFY aims to foster positive interactions between police and the public, ensuring every visitor feels welcomed and secure,” Singh explained.

Moreover, several initiatives were introduced, including volunteer support through ‘Pravasi Mitra,’ a 24/7 helpline number, 1965, and a WhatsApp chatbot. These services are designed to assist tourists and delegates attending the event.

The Commissionerate Police has launched a 24-hour helpline at 1965. Non-resident Indian guests or delegates can reach out to this number for assistance or if any issues arise. This helpline will be managed from the Master Control Room at the Commissionerate Police Headquarters.

To maintain law and order during the event, 83 platoons of police personnel, along with paramilitary forces, will be deployed across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. A centralised control room, along with multiple local control rooms, will oversee operations. Each control room will be led by an ADCP-ranked officer to monitor and manage situations in real-time. Approximately 300 officers and over 2,000 CCTV cameras connected to the control rooms will provide round-the-clock surveillance.

The Commissionerate Police has trained and deployed 700 volunteers, known as Pravasi Mitra, to assist law enforcement. These volunteers will help manage traffic, parking areas, and provide support at prominent tourist spots. They will assist the police in ensuring smooth operations throughout the event.

“This initiative enhances security operations while giving community members the opportunity to gain valuable international exposure. Pravasi Mitras will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the event and providing support to the police in traffic and parking regulation,” the police commissioner remarked.

Dedicated police personnel have been trained and deployed at key tourist destinations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. These officers will ensure the safety of tourists, assist with information, and provide a welcoming experience. They will carry special ID cards for identification.

Furthermore, all hotels and guesthouses in Bhubaneswar have been instructed to upload guest details daily on the ‘Sarai App’. Non-compliance will result in strict action.

A WhatsApp chatbot has been introduced to provide real-time assistance. Attendees can chat with the bot at +91-8280707346 for live location updates, safety tips, emergency contacts, nearby police stations, and online complaint registration.

The large influx of attendees, along with entertainment events at over 10 locations in Bhubaneswar, is expected to create traffic congestion. Managing this crowd has been identified as a critical challenge for the police, who are preparing contingency plans to regulate vehicular movement and minimise disruptions.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas promises to be a grand event, with enhanced security and extensive support systems in place to ensure a smooth and memorable celebration for all attendees.