Introduction

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrated once in two years on 9^th January is a significant event that honors the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was first established in 2003 under the government of then Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a platform to recognize and engage with the overseas Indian community.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. This format allows for more focused discussions on specific areas of interest and provides opportunities for networking among the global Indian diaspora.

18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas - 2025

The 18th PBD Convention is scheduled for January 8-10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The theme for this year is the “Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

This event promises to be a landmark occasion, with several key features:

Day 1: 08 January 2025

• Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:
  - Joint inauguration by the External Affairs Minister, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Chief Minister of Odisha.
  - A platform for Pravasi youth from Odisha to reconnect with their roots.

Day 2: 09 January 2025

• Inauguration of the 18th PBD Convention:
  Opening by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in the presence of the Chief Guest of the convention.
• Prime Minister will remotely flag-off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special Tourist Train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and would travel to multiple destinations of touristic and religious importance in India for a period of three weeks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Prime Minister will also inaugurate four exhibitions at the 18th PBD Convention as follows:
  (i) Vishwaroop Ram - The Universal Legacy of Ramayana: This exhibition would present the timeless epic of Ramayana through a curated juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary art forms.
  (ii) Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology and Viksit Bharat. This exhibition would acknowledge the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the development of technology in the world.
  (iii) Spread and Evolution of Indian diaspora in the world with special focus on Mandvi to Muscat. This exhibition will showcase rare documents of people who had migrated from Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman.
  (iv) Heritage and Culture of Odisha: The exhibition will showcase the rich heritage and cultural traditions of Odisha through its different art and craft forms and highlight its illustrious legacy.

Day 3: 10 January 2025

• Valedictory Session:
  - Closing remarks by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, along with the presentation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

Plenary Sessions (Day 2 & Day 3):

1. Diaspora Youth Leadership: Harnessing youth leadership in a globalized world.
2. Migrant Skills: Stories of building bridges and breaking barriers.
3. Sustainable Development: Contributions of the diaspora to green initiatives.
4. Women’s Leadership: Celebrating Nari Shakti and the influence of diaspora women.
5. Cultural Connections: Stories of belonging and cultural dialogue.

The launch of the official website (pbdindia.gov.in) on November 12, 2024, marked the commencement of online registration for the 2025 convention.

17^th Convention - 2023

The 17th PBD Convention, held from January 8-10, 2023, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, focused on the theme “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal”. This event saw the participation of distinguished guests, including the Presidents of Guyana and Suriname, underlining the global significance of the Indian diaspora.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressing the 17^th PBD in Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

A highlight of the PBD is the presentation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA). This prestigious honor is conferred upon Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin, or organizations established and run by them. The PBSA recognizes outstanding achievements in various fields and celebrates the accomplishments and commitments of NRIs and PIOs in sectors like education, science and innovation, trade and industry, arts and culture, social work, public service and philanthropy. These awards are presented by the President of India during the valedictory session. President Droupadi Murmu with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

History & Significance

This bi-annual celebration, held on January 9th, commemorates the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle.

Objectives and Impact

The primary goals of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are:

1. To commemorate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India's development

2. To create a better understanding of India abroad

3. To support India's causes and work for the welfare of local Indian communities worldwide

4. To provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with the government and people of their ancestral land.  

These conventions have proven instrumental in fostering connections between India and its vast overseas community, enabling the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills across various fields.

Conclusion

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas stands as a testament to India's recognition of its global diaspora as a valuable asset. It serves not only as a celebration of shared heritage but also as a strategic platform for harnessing the potential of overseas Indians in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation. As India continues to strengthen its position on the world stage, the PBD will undoubtedly play a crucial role in fostering stronger ties with its global community and channeling their expertise towards national development.

References

· https://pbdindia.gov.in/pbd

· https://www.mea.gov.in/pravasi-bharatiya-divas.htm

· https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1612815545241587720/photo/3

· https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/1612346572888756225

· https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/38888/18th_Pravasi_Bharatiya_Divas_Convention_2025

· https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1876884045432266908

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

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Santosh Kumar/Sarla Meena/Vatsla Srivastava