The 17th edition of the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ convention will be held in the Madhya Pradesh city of Indore from Sunday under the theme ‘Diaspora: Trusted Partners for India’s Progress at Amrit Kaal’, an official said.
More than 3,500 members of the diaspora from 70 countries will participate in the three-day convention, which is being organized physically for the first time since 2019, he said.
The 16th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention was held in virtual mode in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival in Mumbai from South Africa on that day in 1915.
Since 2015, the convention is organized every two years to mark the contribution of the Indian community abroad to the development of the nation.
The Center is organizing the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in association with the Madhya Pradesh government.
On Sunday, the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will take place in association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Australian Member of Parliament Zaneta Mascarenhas will be the guest of honor at the occasion, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the PBD convention on Monday. The President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the main guest and the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, will be the special guest of honor, they said.
A ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ commemorative postage stamp will be released to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly and skilled migration.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the first PBD digital exhibition on the theme “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Diaspora Contribution in India’s Freedom Fight” to highlight the contribution of diaspora freedom fighters in India’s independence. India, an official said.
In view of India’s ongoing presidency of the G20, a special town hall will also be organized on Monday.
The G20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. Includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union (EU). .
On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu will award the 2023 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the farewell session.
The PBD convention will have five thematic plenary sessions.
Participants who started arriving here on Saturday said they were overwhelmed by the warm welcome they received.
Raising the motto “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, Mukesh Gupta, who was among the guests from the United Arab Emirates, said around 600 members of the Gulf country’s Indian diaspora will attend the convention.
“We immediately felt at home with the welcome we received. We are very excited about the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention,” said Gupta.
Gurmeet Sachu, who came here from Mauritius, was emotional upon arrival, saying: “I never thought I would receive such a warm welcome.”
