Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has called on Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers from the state to help promote Bihar’s tourism destinations, cultural traditions and local products on the international stage.
The Chief Minister met the officers at the Sankalp conference hall at Loksevak Awas on Thursday, October 22, 2026. During the meeting, the officers shared their professional experiences and offered suggestions on promoting Bihar’s tourism potential and products in international markets.
Chaudhary urged people from Bihar to contribute to the development of both the places where they work and their home state. He said IFS officers could play an important role in presenting a positive image of Bihar globally and helping local products reach international markets.
Religious and Historical Sites in Focus
The Chief Minister highlighted Bihar’s tourism potential, pointing to religious and historical destinations such as Gayaji and Sultanganj.
He said the government was working to develop the Buddhist Circuit and promote ecotourism. International branding, he noted, could help these destinations attract more visitors from India and abroad.
The experience and overseas professional networks of IFS officers could support efforts to raise awareness of Bihar’s heritage and tourism attractions among international audiences.
Chhath Festival to Be Promoted Worldwide
Chaudhary also highlighted Chhath Mahaparv, one of Bihar’s most prominent festivals, and called for efforts to increase its international visibility.
He referred to the large gatherings of devotees who offer arghya to the Sun God in Patna and other parts of the state during the festival. The Sun temples in Munger and Aurangabad also attract large numbers of devotees.
The Chief Minister said promoting Chhath internationally could encourage people from different countries to visit Bihar to experience and understand the festival’s distinctive cultural and religious traditions.
Global Branding of Local Products
Beyond tourism, the meeting also focused on expanding the international recognition of Bihar’s locally produced goods.
Chaudhary said presenting the state’s cultural heritage, religious traditions, historical sites and products to global audiences could support tourism, employment and wider economic activity.
The government hopes that stronger international outreach will help improve Bihar’s image and create opportunities for local businesses and tourism-related sectors.
IFS Officers From Bihar Attend Meeting
The officers who met the Chief Minister included Kumar Gaurav, Deputy High Commissioner in the Maldives; Akash Gupta, Counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Rome; Nitesh Kumar, Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad; and Tavishi Behl Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
Others included Dr Rajiv Ranjan, Director for Central America in the Ministry of External Affairs; Naveen Kumar, Counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Paris; and Manusmriti, Director for the Northern region in the ministry.
Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit and Chief Minister’s Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh were also present. The officers were honoured with shawls and mementoes.
