Every year, India celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) on January 9 to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community in development of India.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – Background Information:
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated by Vajpayee Government in 2003.
- PBD is celebrated on January 9 because it was on this day in 1915 that the greatest Pravasi, Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa, and led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
- Key highlight of the PBD celebration is the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, which serves as a platform for interaction among central and state governments with the Overseas Indian Community for mutually beneficial activities and a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.
- During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth and for enhancing country’s image in international arena.
- However, in 2015 Government of India revised the format of PBD celebration. As per the revised format, the PBD Convention will be held once in two years in a city outside Delhi. In the intervening year, outcome-based events (on a smaller scale) will be organized in New Delhi.
- Celebrations and events related to PBD are mainly sponsored by Union Ministry of External Affairs.
Nitin Gadkari inaugurated ASEAN India Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Singapore
On January 6, 2018, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated ASEAN India Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Singapore.
- Gadkari attended the session on ASEAN India Economic Partnership at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.
PM Modi inaugurates first PIO Parliamentary Conference in New Delhi
On January 9, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in Delhi.
- Around 124 MPs from several countries including United Kingdom, Fiji, Canada, Kenya, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and New Zealand participated in this conference.
- 17 mayors from US, Switzerland, Malaysia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago also attended this conference.
