Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Honouring the Contributions and Achievements of India’s Diaspora

In News - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Honouring the Contributions and Achievements of India’s Diaspora

Analysis:

1. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is a biennial national event celebrated on January 9 to recognise the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s development and global stature.
2. The date commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915, symbolising the enduring connection between India and its overseas citizens.
3. The PBD Convention was first established in 2003 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to formally engage with and honour the Indian diaspora.
4. The event is hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in different cities, showcasing India’s regional diversity and providing a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and discussions on diaspora issues.
5. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin, or organisations run by them, recognising their contributions towards India’s image abroad, supporting national causes, and welfare of overseas Indian communities.
6. The 18th PBD Convention (2025) was held from 8–10 January 2025 in Bhubaneswar, with the theme “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.
7. The event included exhibitions on Ramayana’s universal legacy, diaspora contributions to technology, migration history, and Odisha’s heritage, along with plenary sessions on youth leadership, migrant skills, sustainable development, women’s leadership, and cultural connections.
8. The convention was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January 2025 and concluded with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presenting the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on 10 January 2025.
9. PBD serves as both a celebration of shared heritage and a strategic platform to channel the experience and expertise of overseas Indians towards national development.

Static / Contextual Part:

• Significance of PBD: Engagement, recognition, and strengthening ties with the global Indian diaspora.
• Frequency: Biennial (every two years) with thematic conferences in intervening years.
• Organiser: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• Awards: Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award – highest recognition for the Indian diaspora.
• Theme 2025: “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat.”

Updated - 7 January 2026; 3:35 PM | News Source: DD News