Exchange Initiatives - Art & Culture, Youth & Education, Trade & Tech, among many other. Programs - High School Exchange, Cultural Arts Exchange,
Events - India Independence Day Flag Raising, Konark Festival, Youth Leadership Summit, US-India Symposium, Odisha Day, etc. The Cupertino Bhubaneswar Sister City Initiative (CBSCI) is an independent community-based non-profit organization that supports
immersion and exchange programs in arts, culture, student & technology know-how between the two cities. The citizens of both the cities (not restricted to Odia community but integrating larger Indian and American community) establish friendly relations for a healthy collaboration. It is a small, efficient & effective flat organization with 5 executive board members & officers and their team of 5 team members and 30 plus adult and student volunteers from Cupertino, neighboring cities and across Bay Area. Officers: Mahesh Nihalani (co founder), Reena Patnaik (co founder & Executive Director), Mahesh Pakala (co founder), Wendell Stephens, John Zirelli
Team: Debashis Rao, Lipi Mishra, Janaki, Rama, Shouvik, Minti, Japani, and others
Advisors (past & present): USA - Orrin Mahoney (former Mayor), Bipin Shah;
India - Suchitra Patnaik, JB Pany,
Awaiting approval from Board for other members
Arts and Cultural Ambassadors: Swayam Pravash Padhi (Music), Rahul Acharya (Dance)
Supporters: Bibhuti Barik, Pami Panda, Anup Patnaik, Chandrakant Mishra
SPONSORS (Past & Present): City of Cupertino, Consulate General of India, Excel Prep Test, Cal Waters, San Jose Waters, Recology, Chandru Bhambra, Roger Bakshi, 49ers, Amazon, ICICI, SBI, Sit By Care, Supervisor Joe Simitan and many others. PARTNERS: City of Cupertino, Consulate General of India-SFO, Rotary Club of Cupertino, FOG Odisha, Purab India, FIA, FALC, and many others. To learn more about the org please call Reena Patnaik Rao, Executive Director & Founding Board Member at 510 910 2823 or email [email protected]. Four Pillars of CBSCI
1) Arts and Culture - Arts and cultural exchanges are the oldest and most robust for our sister city network that take many different forms such as musical performances, art exhibits, parks or gardens, and international cultural festivals. By experiencing and exploring the culture of an Indian community, citizens may gain insight into the history, values, and aesthetic sensibilities of their partners.
2) Youth and Education - Providing experience in international affairs and STEAM education exchange programs to youth is a critical part of any sister city program. Activities include student exchanges, virtual technology exchanges, and game day tournaments. These exchanges are often described by participants as “a life-changing experience,” and many current leaders in international affairs or diplomacy can trace their interest to their sister city exchange.
3) Business and Trade- These connections build trust, access, and expertise that help local businesses find new opportunities and resources. Whether it is access to new markets, assistance navigating import and export regulations, or introductions to new partners, sister city programs expand the resources available to local businesses.
4) Community Development - Peer-learning between the two cities employees and elected officials through sister city activities can help cities implement innovative policies and management techniques in varied fields. Programs raise funds or collect supplies for natural disasters and STEAM school support. CBSCI TIMELINE
*2009 - Reena Patnaik Rao an active Indian American community member & a media personality approached Mahesh Nihalani, Indian American community leader in Cupertino to explore and initiate sister-city relationship between Bhubaneswar and Cupertino. Together with Mahesh Pakala met with the then Mayor Orrin Mahoney and other council members for a first round of meeting.
*2010 - The then Cupertino Mayor Gilbert Wong, and Community leaders - Mahesh Nihalani and Mahesh Pakala - visited Bhubaneswar to meet with the Mayor Anant Narayan Jena and his team of corporators. Met with folks Suchitra Patnaik, JB Pani and others in Bhubaneswar to get their support for this noble effort.
- The team also visited Sai International School to explore student exchange program.
*2011 - After several presentations and discussions with the City Council at the Cupertino Council meetings and consistent efforts by Reena & Mahesh, finally in Aug 16, 2011, City of Cupertino approved the relationship at their council meeting
*2012 - Mayor Gilbert Wong and Mahesh Nihalani with Mahesh Pakala made another trip to BBSR to sign the MOU with Mayor Jena.
- Rotary Club of Cupertino visited Bhubaneswar as part of the World Community Services program toured the beautiful tourist spots and explored the possibilities of supporting a girls orphanage. Mahesh Pakala took them around.
- Team organized Odisha Day dinner event in Cupertino on April 1. (that was started at ICC in 2008)
*2014 - CBSCI attained its 501c3 non profit status.
- Launched an annual evening dinner appreciation program.
*2017 - Team organized first Pana Sankranti Festival at De Anza Performing Arts Center. As part of cultural arts program invited guru Rahul Acharya, Odissi dancer.
- Launched the Annual India Independence Day event in collaboration with the City of Cupertino initiated by the then Mayor Savita Vaidhyanathan.
- The then Mayor Savita Vaidhyanathan, Mahesh Pakala, Reena Patnaik visited Bhubaneswar as part of city delegation.
*2018 - Mayor Darcy Paul, Gilbert Wong and Mahesh Pakala visited Bhubaneswar as part of city delegation.
- Student delegation from Sai International visited Cupertino for a week long exchange program.
2019-2020 - Pandemic
*2021 - US-India Symposium Series (Virtual) - Focus Odisha, Focus Himachal,
*2022- India Independence Day Flag Raising
-First Cultural Arts Trade Exchange Program showcasing through Konark Festival & Purab Fest in association with City of Cupertino & Consulate General of India partnership with FIA/FOG and other associations. Aa part of cultural arts program invited Singer Swayam Padhi for the event.
*2023 - Musicotsav/Utkal Divas,
-Coming up Heritage India Festival & Independence Day Flag Raising, visit by a block print artiste from BBSR - talking with IITM.. among other things.
- Launched Odia Radio Program Utkala Express... with Swayam Padhi from BBSR and Reena Rao from Bay Area as co hosts - connecting BBSR and Silicon Valley.
*2024 - Annual Event, Flag Raising, Cupertino Mayor trip to BBSR
*2025 - City of Cupertino proclaimed April 1 as Odisha Day in the city.
