Patna: Patna will turn into a centre of celebration on Tuesday as the state’s tourism department prepares to honour the winners of two major initiatives – Mera Block-Mera Gaurav and Bihar in the Eyes of Influencers. The award ceremony will be held at Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation’s Sikh Heritage Bhawan on Daroga Rai Path and will be led by Tourism Minister Raju Kumar Singh.
In total, 35 winners will be recognised for their efforts to highlight Bihar’s hidden destinations. The Mera Block-Mera Gaurav competition focused on encouraging participants from across the state to identify important but lesser-known tourist spots within their blocks. These could be places with historical, religious or cultural importance that had never been promoted widely before. The first prize winner will receive Rs 50,000 and a certificate, the second prize winner Rs 45,000 and a certificate, and the third prize winner Rs 35,000 and a certificate. In addition to these, 10 participants will be given commendation awards of Rs 20,000 each for their notable contributions.
The second contest, Bihar in the Eyes of Influencers, highlighted the state through the creative lens of social media content creators and storytellers. A special award of Rs 50,000 will go to the top winner, while 18 other participants will receive commendation awards for their outstanding efforts to promote Bihar’s cultural and natural beauty.
Tourism Director and Special Secretary Udayan Mishra said that the aim of both competitions was to bring lesser-known places of Bihar to public attention and preserve the state’s heritage. “These contests were designed not just to promote tourism but also to encourage people to take pride in their own surroundings and history,” he said. “The entries we received are proof that Bihar’s blocks are full of hidden gems that can attract travellers if promoted properly.”
Both competitions were conducted online last year and received entries from across all districts. Each entry was reviewed at the district level by a jury consisting of officials including the Additional Collector, the Tourism Officer, District Public Relations Officer, and the Circle or Block Development Officer. After the district-level scrutiny, shortlisted entries were forwarded to the state tourism department, where subject experts made the final selection. The process also included a People’s Choice Award, in which citizens voted for their favourite discovery.
Officials believe that promoting such unexplored places could open new avenues for tourism in Bihar, create employment opportunities for local people, and help boost the economy. With these awards, the department hopes to inspire more residents to become storytellers and advocates for their local heritage. The ceremony on Tuesday is expected to be a vibrant occasion, celebrating not only the winners but also Bihar’s potential to emerge as a major destination for travellers seeking history, culture and unique experiences.
