Rajasthan principal secretary industries Ajitabh Sharma was in a different role today. He was interacting with protocol officers explaining them how to receive and take care of guest-investors flying down to Jaipur for Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit to be held from 9-11 December 2024.
The role of protocol officers assume great importance in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with few of his cabinet colleagues, inaugurating the summit.
The summit will also have foreign delegates and top corporate honchos eyeing investment opportunities in Rajasthan.
These protocol officers included 150 state government officials and 250 student-volunteers from universities.
While presiding over the orientation programme, Ajitabh Sharma said that protocol officers are the first point of contact with guest-investors.
“Their experience will have a long lasting impact in mind of guests.
Rajasthan is known for its hospitality, vibrant culture and ingrained belief in the tenet of ‘Atithi Devo Bhawa.' Protocol officers are expected to make guests feel at home,” he said.
Sharma said that objective of orientation programme is to brief officials and student volunteers about their respective tasks and sensitise them about importance of their duties,” he said.
Protocol officers, which included senior RAS officers also, have been entrusted with the responsibility of receiving the guests and delegates from the airport and accompanying them to the hotel and the venue of the summit.
“The officials will ensure that guests don't encounter any hassles during their conveyance from one part of the city to another. The student volunteers, on the other hand, will be stationed at key locations at JECC including the registration desk, parking area, ‘May I help you' desks, dinner and cultural venues among others,” Sharma said.
The officials and volunteers were briefed about the tentative flow of the events and informed about their responsibilities and assigned duties. They were also told about VIP protocols and security restrictions to be observed at the venue.
Apart from Ajitabh Sharma, senior IAS officers including Dr. Joga Ram, GAD secretary, Rohit Gupta, BIP commissioner and Sourabh Swami, BIP additional commissioner among others were present.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.