New Delhi: The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrations will be held nationwide on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on January 9 and roll out the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train which is tailored for the Indian diaspora. This initiative is part of the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana, which aims at providing diaspora members a chance to visit spiritual and cultural destinations across India. This year’s event is themed”: ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.’
Why is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated?
Every two years, India observes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The occasion is designed to acknowledge and honour the contributions of Indians living abroad. The Indian diaspora has surged to over 35.4 million and continues to play a crucial role in India’s economy, as well as in strengthening diplomatic relations with the countries where they have settled.
Also referred to as NRI Day, the celebrations on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas aims to boost the connection between the Indian diaspora abroad and the Government of India. It also serves as a way to reconnect Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with their cultural heritage. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas recognises the accomplishments of NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). This year, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being held from January 8 to January 10 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’ is the theme of the 18th PBD Convention. Over 6,000 NRIs — including business leaders, economists, academicians and thinkers, from 75 countries — are participating in the convention.
History behind Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
It was on January 9, 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa. His return was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, as Gandhi had a crucial role to play in India’s freedom struggle. He was the inspiration behind countless individuals to join the independence movement.
To commemorate the landmark event, it was on January 9, 2003 that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated. The event highlighted the contributions of Pravasi Bharatiyas, including Mahatma Gandhi, to India’s progress. Since 2015, the format of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been revised, and it is now held every two years. The event is organised in collaboration with one of the state governments that hosts the PBD Convention. This gives the state an opportunity to highlight its strengths to the diaspora and attract investment and technology.
Why is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas so important?
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas honours the social, economic, and cultural contributions of Indian expatriates, especially in boosting India’s foreign exchange reserves through remittances and investments. The biennial event goes a long way in solidifying relationship between India and countries where the Indian diaspora lives, as it enhances goodwill and cooperation across borders. The expats work as ambassadors and are a bridge between the Indian government and the countries in which they reside.
The event is also a way to facilitate discussions on topics relevant to the Indian diaspora, including visa regulations, investment opportunities, and community welfare.
Indians abroad have emerged as a vigorous and strong force, with many of them becoming influential leaders in business, technology, and education. Their success has been an encouragement for others to follow their footsteps, contributing to India’s growth and development across various sectors. The occasion offers a big opportunity for overseas Indians to participate in the country’s economic progress, encouraging their contributions to innovation, infrastructure development, and trade.
