Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2021 was celebrated on January 9, 2021. The Day is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the participation of the overseas Indian community with the government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
During this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated PBD Convention 2021 virtually in New Delhi, a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
This year(2021) marks the 16th PBD convention. Earlier PBD was celebrated in the year 2019.
President Santokhi of Suriname was the chief guest of the PBD Convention 2021.
Theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021– “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Why January 9?
On this day, Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa in 1915
About PBD:
i.The first PBD was organised during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003.
ii.The PBD were organised every year since 2003 and in 2015 the format was received to celebrate the day once in every two years.
Youth PBD 2021:
On 8th January 2021, The youth PBD was celebrated as a virtual event under the theme “Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora”.
i.The event was hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
ii.H.E. Ms. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community & Voluntary Sector of New Zealand participated in the event as a special guest.
Coffee Table Book Titled ‘Modi India Calling – 2021’ Launched:
i.On January 8, 2021 Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta released a coffee table book, titled “Modi India Calling – 2021” at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, Delhi. It was authored by senior BJP leader Vijay Jolly.
ii.The coffee table book has over hundreds of photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his “107 overseas and bilateral visits”.
16th PBD Convention 2021
i.The convention was physically held at Mutthamma Hall with a theme ‘Facing Post-COVID challenges
ii.The convention have 3 segments namely, Inaugural session, Plenary Sessions consisting of Session I – ‘Role of Diaspora in Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ & Session II – ‘Facing Post-COVID Challenges – Scenario in Health, Economy, Social, and International Relations’.
Highlights
i.During his address in 16th PBD Convention 2021, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname proposed a visa-free movement of people between India and Suriname.
ii.He also proposed to create a special diaspora committee to identify opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2021
i.In the valedictory session of the PBD celebrations, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2021 was conferred by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
ii.PBSA is the highest honour conferred as part of PBD convention to Non-Resident Indians(NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin(PIO) or an organization/institution established and run by the NRIs orPIO in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.
iii.PBSA is given to overseas Indians in different fields namely Promoting Indian Culture, Medicine, Community Service, Business among others.
Winners of PBSA 2021:
In total 30 people were awarded PBSA 2021.
i.Among others, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, Eugene Rhuggenaath, Prime Minister of Curacao (The Netherlands) Priyanca Radhakrishnan, New Zealand minister won the award in the field, Public service.
ii.Mukesh Aghi(USA/ Singapore), president and CEO of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum who won the award in the field, Business was also among the awardees.
iii.The 4 organisations who won the award include, NGO Cultural Diversity for Peaceful Future in Armenia in the field, ‘Promoting Indian Culture’, Sai Prema Foundation in Fiji, Indian Cultural Association (ICA) in Nigeria, Federation of Indian Associations of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut(USA) were awarded in the field, Community Service.
Click here to know the full list of Winners
3rd Edition Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21
i.The 3rd edition of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21 was held virtually from 30 September to 28 December 2020.
ii.All the 15 winners will be invited for an India Tour (Bharat Ko Janiye Darshan) after COVID-19.
About Bharat ko Janiye Quiz
i.It was launched in 2015-16 to reinforce the engagement with young overseas Indians and encourage them to learn more about their country of origin.
ii.The first edition of the online ‘Bharat ko Janiye’ Quiz was organized for young overseas Indians and foreigners of 18-35 years of age in 2015-16. The second edition was in 2018-19.
Recent Related News:
i.The FICCI’s (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) Annual Convention & 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held virtually amid COVID-19 on the theme “Inspired India” on December 11, 12 & 14, 2020. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on December 12, 2020.
ii.September 4, 2020 Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers(SIAM) organised and hosted its 60th SIAM Annual Convention 2020 virtually, titled “Re-Building the Nation, Responsibly”. SIAM appointed Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd appointed as its new President.
He succeeds Rajan Wadhera, Senior Advisor, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Union Minister– Dr. Subrahmanyam(S.) Jaishankar
Minister of State– V. Muraleedharan
