Pravasi Bharatiya Divas used to be annually celebrated on January 9th and it coincides with the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi to Mombai from South Africa on 9th January 1915.But now from many years this day is celebrated biannually. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to commemorate, honor and remember the contribution of the Non-resident Indian Diaspora in the economic development of the country. This year the nation is celebrating 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and it is an occasion to remember the role and contribution which the non-resident Indians’ have played and are playing for the development of India. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention is the main program of government of India. It provides a significant platform to Indians residing in foreign countries for associating and making contacts with Indians and also for interactions between the citizens residing abroad and Indians. The theme of this year’s PBD convention is dependable participation of Pravasi Bharatis’ in the progress of the country. During Amrit Kaal it is worth mentioning that 3500 members of the Pravasi Bharati from 70 countries have made their registration for the PBD convention.

There will be three sessions of the PBD convention. On 8, January Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was inaugurated jointly by the EAM and youth program and sports ministry.On youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Australian honorable member parliament, Shri Janeta Masskaranhass is the respected gust. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate PBD convention on 9th January and the president of Guiana republic his Excellency Dr. Mohd. Irfan Ali and the honorable president of Suryanam Republic shri Chandekaprasad Suntoki will respectively be the chief gust and respected gust and will address the convention. A memorable Post office ticket will be issued which will depict secure, lawful managed and good non residency significance. PM will also inaugurate digital Pravasi Bharatiya Divas exhibition for the first time to highlight the contribution of non-resident Indian freedom fighters in the freedom struggle of the country. On 9th January a special town hall will also be organized.
The honorable president of India Smt. Draupdi Murmu will give Pravasi Bharati Saman award 2023 and will preside over the valedictory function of the convention. The Pravasi Bharati Saman is given to selected non-resident members in recognition of their services and contribution as well as achievement indifferent fields in foreign countries and India.PBD convention will have five full subject sessions. First full subject session will be presided by youth program and sports minister Shri Anurag Thakur and it will focus on new thinking and new researches so for as the contribution of youth non resident Indians is concerned. In year2003 the beginning of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas had been made and since then it is celebrated by the MEA in collaboration of the state government or union territories but in year 2015 amendment was made to the effect that it was decided to celebrate this day after every two years. Before this Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in year 2021 through online mode because of covid-19 and its theme was self-sufficient India. This year theme of PBD convention is Diaspora –Reliable partners for India’s in Amrit Kaal. The objectives of celebrating this occasion are as follows – 1. To provide a platform to non resident Indians to interact with Indians by which a network will be created of the Pravasi Bharaties 2-To connect the youth of the country with non resident Indians. 3-To ensure that non resident Indians will connect and interact with government of India and its people for beneficial programs. On the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas every time a convention is organized by the government of India.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is this year being celebrated from January 8, to 10 in MP at Indore. PM Modi has inaugurated the non- resident Indian convention on 9th January. Prvasi Bharatiya Divas honor ceremony will be organized on 10th January. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the development of the country. As said already the day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9th January 1915. Established in 2000, it is sponsored by the MEA of government of India and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry-FICCI, the Confederation of Indian Industries and the ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. This celebratory event is held from 7th to 9th January every year in a selected city in India. It is a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora and Pravasi Bharatiya awards are given on this occasion.
The preparations for celebrating this day is on full swing and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has taken part in this year’s non-resident Indian day at MP Indore and it is celebrated in a magnificent way. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is this year celebrated after a gap of four years due to covid-19 and this in itself is very significant. In Indore city of MP, where the convention is to be held, there will be the glamour of the world which will be worth seeing. In regard to celebrate the convention there is enthusiasm and fervor among non resident Indians and the Indian citizens. This year the convention of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will begin on 8th January and it will come to close on 10 the January with the distribution of awards by honorable president of India Smt. Draupdi Marmu. The beginning of this day had been done with the decision of the then PM Late. A.B. Vajpayee in year 2002 however the history of this day is associated with 1915.Late Laxmi Singhwi had conceived the noble idea of celebrating non-resident Indian day. For the first time in year 2003 this convention was celebrated during the government of BJP headed by Vajapayee.
India’s father of the nation late Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from Africa on 9th January 1915 and he was considered non-resident Indian. The late leader had given great contribution in the freedom struggle of India and to remember and commemorate his contribution to freedom movement this Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on 9th January every year. The importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are as follows:- 1. To provide a platform to non -resident Indians so that they can connect and interact with the Indians. 2- To connect the non- resident – Indians with the Indian youth. 3- To increase the opportunities of investment in India and this is the main objective of this convention and its celebration. 4- To include non resident Indians with government of India and with the citizens and to connect them with the beneficial programmes. Foreign minister of India Jai Shanker has said that while remaining abroad the non resident Indians are connected with their motherland. In fact overseas Indian’s are the face of India and their role and contribution in the development of the country cannot be exaggerated .In brief there is great importance of celebrating of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas more because the non residents are rooted with India while sitting abroad and this day further cements the relations of the non resident Indians with the countrymen and so it should be celebrated in a befitting manner so that the millions of the investments will come and the bonds of relationships will be strengthened.

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