New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention, which will be inaugurated on January 9. This year, the Chief Guest, the President of Trinidad and Tobago, HE Christine Carla Kangaloo, will give a virtual address.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora. In this article, let us look at the history of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, when it is observed and more.
Understanding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: History & Significance
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed on January 9. It is not celebrated annually but once every two years.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, or PBD, started on January 9, 2003, to recognise the contributions of the Overseas Indian community to India’s development. This day marks the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai from South Africa on January 9, 1915.
PBD is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and other organisations. It takes place from January 8 to January 10 every two years in different cities in India. The event addresses important issues for the Indian diaspora and honours outstanding individuals with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.
The idea to celebrate PBD came from a recommendation by the High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, led by LM Singhvi. The then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, announced PBD during a public event on January 8, 2002. The date was chosen to honour Gandhi’s return from South Africa.
PBD features programmes that recognise NRI/PIO individuals for their exceptional contributions in various fields. The event aims to discuss the concerns and issues of people in the diaspora. It has occurred every year since 2003, initially sponsored by FICCI, and is now supported by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The event was cancelled in 2016, and its format changed. Sushma Swaraj, who was the Minister of External Affairs, announced that the event would move to different states every two years, with a smaller event in Delhi every alternate year.
Theme for 2025
The theme for the 18th PBD Convention in 2025 is “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.”
Logo
In 2016, the Ministry of External Affairs held a competition to create a new logo for PBD. The winner, Debasish Sarkar, designed a logo that symbolises unity and strength among people worldwide. It includes the Ashoka Chakra and the Indian tricolour, representing the global contributions of Indians and the peaceful presence of both Indians and overseas Indians across the world.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Established in 2003, the PBD commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India and aims to address diaspora concerns. It honours outstanding individuals with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards. The 2025 theme is “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
