18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention

Why in News? 

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was celebrated on January 9, 2025, as part of a three-day event. The event emphasized the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s progress and development.

18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention 2025: Key Headings 

• The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention 2025 was held from January 8 to 10, 2025 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• The official inauguration took place on January 9, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• This year, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, the President of Trinidad and Tobago, was the chief guest.
• Dr. Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, honored the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 8, 2025.
• The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2025 theme: “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”, this empathizes the important role of the global Indian community in India’s development.
• The convention included five plenary sessions, which explored various aspects of the Indian diaspora’s impact on India’s progress.
• 30 prominent diaspora members were recognized with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2025 for their outstanding contributions.

Introduction of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated every two years on January 9 to honor the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s development. 

• This event is a major occasion organized by the Ministry of External Affairs. 
• The day is dedicated to recognizing the vital role played by non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in various sectors globally.
• On this day, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is conferred to NRIs, PIOs, and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to India’s growth, supported its causes, and promoted a better understanding of India abroad. 
• The event provides a platform for the Indian diaspora to engage with the Indian government and the people of India. 
• It encourages networking among overseas Indians from different parts of the world, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. 
• Through the convention, participants share experiences and ideas that contribute to India’s development across various fields.

History of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

• The idea to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was proposed by the high-level committee on the Indian diaspora, which was set up by the Indian government under the leadership of L.M. Singhvi. 
• Following the committee’s recommendations, the decision was made to mark the occasion. On January 8, 2002. 
• But the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the establishment of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be celebrated on January 9, 2002.
• The date was chosen to honor the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, an event that marked the beginning of India’s freedom struggle. 
• Mahatma Gandhi is considered the greatest Pravasi, as his return to India played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s destiny.
• The celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began in 2003, and it was initially held annually. 
• Over time, the event became sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which initially had been supported by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry).
• In 2015, the celebration was revised to be observed every two years, making it a theme-based conference that focuses on issues relevant to the Indian diaspora and its contributions to India’s development.

Significance of PBD Convention

• Diaspora’s Contribution to India’s Development: The main focus of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is to highlight and celebrate the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in the development of India. This includes their contributions in sectors like economy, technology, education, and social welfare.
• Strengthening India-Diaspora Ties: The event aims to strengthen the relationship between India and its overseas community. It serves as a platform to build bridges and improve collaboration in trade, business, and cultural exchange between India and various countries.
• Promoting India’s Global Influence: PBD celebrations also focus on enhancing India’s soft power and global influence. By involving the diaspora, the event promotes India’s cultural heritage, values, and achievements on the global stage, fostering a positive image of India internationally.
• Collaborative Efforts for a “Viksit Bharat”: The theme of each PBD revolves around collaborating with the diaspora to achieve a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). Discussions and sessions focus on how the Indian community abroad can support the Indian government’s initiatives in areas like infrastructure development, sustainability, and technological innovation.
• Youth Engagement and Empowerment: Youth participation is a significant aspect of the celebrations, with events like the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This focus aims to connect young members of the Indian diaspora with India and empower them to contribute to the nation’s growth in areas such as entrepreneurship, technology, and social innovation.

Government Initiatives for NRIs and OCIs 

The Government of India has launched various initiatives to support Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), aimed at fostering their engagement with India and addressing their unique needs. Some of these key initiatives include:

• Overseas Indian Citizenship (OCI) Scheme: This program allows Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to visit India without the need for a visa, offering them various economic, educational, and cultural benefits.
• Know India Programme (KIP): Aimed at strengthening the bond between Indian diaspora youth and their ancestral homeland, KIP helps them learn about India’s history, culture, and development.
• VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty) Scheme: This initiative encourages top NRI professionals, including scientists, engineers, and doctors, to contribute their expertise to Indian public sector organizations for short-term assignments.
• Scholarship Programmes for Diaspora Children: This initiative provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships for children of the Indian diaspora to encourage them to pursue higher education.
• E-migrate System: A system that maintains a foreign employers database to safeguard the welfare of emigrant workers and prevent exploitation.
• Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana: A special program designed for the Indian diaspora that facilitates religious and spiritual tours to holy places in India.
• Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): A welfare fund set up to assist Indian citizens abroad. This fund is providing support in case of emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances.
• Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY): This scheme focuses on the skill development of Indian workers abroad to equip them with the necessary skills to succeed in global markets.

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