BHUBANESWAR: Like Mumbai and London, New Delhi and New York, and Chennai and San Antonio, Bhubaneswar will also very soon have a Sister City relationship with city of Cupertino, the USA.
Cupertino Mayor Gilbert Wong first showed interest by adopting a resolution on August 16 in this regard and sent a proposal to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). It was accepted by the BMC on September 28. Wong is expected to visit Bhubaneswar in November or December to sign the final agreement.
Sister City relationship is a very popular concept among major cities across the world. Through this kind of arrangement, it becomes easier for the two cities to exchange ideas in the fields of education, culture, economy, trade, health and much more.
Most of the times, mayors of cities take the initiative, but at times citizens start developing mutual interest by visiting the other cities. This way the process is initiated.
“The major focus of this Sister City relationship would be to encourage exchange of educational and cultural programmes in the beginning,” said Bhubaneswar Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.
Later on there are plans for economic and trade development, creating business opportunities, fostering community partnerships for creative learning and solving problems together through exchange of ideas. It will be a long-term partnership between the communities of both the cities to foster growth and development by joining hands.
"We can see the real benefits of the agreement only after the project takes off,’’ added Jena.
A Sister City committee will be set up by both the cities to coordinate and implement the policies made by the authorities. A long-term vision has been kept in mind by both the cities to work and grow together, said Jena. Cupertino is a suburban city in Santa Clara County, California. Forbes ranked it as one of the most educated small towns. It is best known as home to the worldwide headquarters of Apple Inc.