Odisha Channel Bureau
Bhubaneswar: On the eve of the 70th foundation day of the capital city of Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday unveiled the logo and official website of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) along with another city website named bhubaneswar.me developed by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and a promo video on the city for attracting visitors to the City of Temples.
Unveiling the BSCL logo at the Secretariat, Patnaik said “I remember the devastation caused by super cyclone of 1999 and how far we have come since then. Bhubaneswar has evolved as a truly Global City. Our cultural heritage, warmth and hospitality of people coupled with smart, modern amenities make the Capital city a unique urban experience.’’
Patnaik expressed satisfaction that Bhubaneswar is constantly trying to upgrade its infrastructure for benefit of its citizens.
BSCL logo
This logo of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited with its vibrant colours represent a fast developing smart city in the form of a butterfly signifying growth, motion and youthful energy. The five colours used in this logo trace their origin to the five visions of Bhubaneswar Smart City proposal i.e. Liveable city, Eco-friendly city, Child Friendly city, Transit-oriented city and emergence of Bhubaneswar as a regional economic hub.
The square shapes represent strength, solidarity, purpose, symmetry, professionalism and efficiency. The shaded colours given to the boxes arranged creatively in different shapes along with the Wi-Fi symbol signify the element of technology.
To promote and brand Bhubaneswar as the hub of education, sports, IT & heritage tourism, a circle has been used to creatively carve out the word `hub’ out of Bhubaneswar.
BSCL website
The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has come up with its `Smart’ website www.smartcitybhubaneswar.gov.in which features all important aspects of BSCL, ongoing and upcoming projects and announcements.
In line with its vision of promoting universal accessibility at every stage and every project, this BSCL official website has been designed as inclusive for all by having differently-abled friendly features such as screen reader, font enhancement and color contrast to ensure that each and every person can access and use the website.
The website also has home page which connects almost the entire website and provides a summary of the entire activities to the user on a single page. The web portal features details on the Board of Directors, organogram, child friendly city features, details and updates on each of the projects, events, and last but not the least, details about the Smart City Contest, Smart City Mission and Challenge, Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, vision and details on Area Based Development and Pan-City Proposal along with socially smart initiatives being undertaken by the city.
Under the “Know Bhubaneswar”’ segment it describes the transformation of the city from temple city to planned city and towards a child friendly smart city and its emergence as a regional education hub and gateway to Golden Triangle in Odishan tourism industry.
It also projects the city’s potential as a proposed UNESCO World Heritage City as it has the largest density of protected monuments. The website has also incorporated city’s natural resources, heritage, art and culture, economic growth, connectivity and civic administration among others.
BHUBANESWAR.ME website
This all-in-one city website showcases the city and its rich heritage, art, culture, architecture, cuisines, traditions, natural treasures, urban development and tourist information etc. for visitors planning to explore the city. The one-of-its kind portal presents a sort of visual walkthrough of the entire city with interesting photographs and videos on the city, for any visitor wishing to explore and experience Bhubaneswar.
The portal has five major segments: Explore, Experience, Stay, Taste and ‘This is Bhubaneswar’. Under explore segment detailed description with photographs can be seen on heritage circuits, temples, parks and recreation facilities, shopping centers and gateways.
Similarly, visitors can experience museums, tours and shows, festivals, events and exhibitions and sports amenities in the city, envisioned as the emerging sports capital of India, by visiting the experience segment.
Visitors can find details with photographs on the best places to stay in Bhubaneswar including government accommodations, budget hotels and luxury hotels. For the foodies the portal presents the best of multi-cuisine restaurants in the city along with exclusive Odia cuisines, temple cuisines, and local sweets delicacies. To the culinary enthusiasts who wish to try preparing typical Odia dishes, the portal has a special segment under learn local in taste segment.
History and evolution of Bhubaneswar has been beautifully documented and presented under ‘This is Bhubaneswar’ which also showcases the best of art and crafts in the city along with vivid presentation of must see places in the city.
This segment also provides weather, event calendar and important tourist information such as transport, emergency contacts, and safety tips along with easy communication tips for conversing in vernacular Odia language.
Visit Bhubaneswar video
Bhubaneswar‘s beauty from a visitor’s perspective is captured through this short video film of 2 minutes15 seconds duration. Odissi dancer from Argentina Anandini Dasi, who has made the Temple City her second home, is the protagonist in this short-film.
The film progresses as she travels across the city’s beautiful State Botanical Garden adjoining Kanjia Lake, Nandankanan, wades through the beautiful orchidarium and then moves to picturesque Ekamra Kanan witnessing a great cactus collection, numerous gardens while enjoying the beauty of its lake and lovely birds.
After the green sojourn, Anandini visits the meticulously curated and maintained Tribal Museum near CRP Square, State Museum near Kalpana Square before getting into soulful meditation at the historic caves and iconic Jain heritage sites Khandagiri and Udayagiri.
Reaching the heritage treasure of Old Town area, which, in the past was known as Ekamra Kshetra as a major Shiva Shrine, she explores the beautiful Ekamra Van medicinal plant garden on the bank of holy Bindusagar lake, majestic temples of Lord Lingaraj and Mukteswar and finally reaches the Dhauli International Peace Pagoda as it stands as a mute spectator of Kalingan valour near the Daya river valley and the place of historic Kalinga War.
It was this place, where, after winning the historic war Emperor Ashoka’s historic transformation from `Chandashoka’ to `Dharmashoka’ happened and the entire world benefitted from the teachings and philosophy of Buddha. The protagonist meditates near the Buddha statue to feel the aura of the historic land followed by the beautiful light and sound show at the pagoda which also finds its place in the video.
The video also features cultural hub of Rabindra Mandap and Kalinga Stadium, the epicentre of sports in the city, the emerging sports capital of India, as the city is gearing up to host Hockey World Cup towards the end of this year.
Towards the end the film takes Anandini to the delicious street food zones, famous Pahala `rasagola’ and other delicious sweet varieties and ends with a shopping time at Ekamra Haat trying some traditional jewellery, Odissi sarees and other handicraft products.
