The 13th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention started in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Wednesday in which NRIs from over 58 countries are expected to participate.
The three-day convention marks the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the country’s development and aims at connecting India to its vast overseas diaspora and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills on a common platform.
The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is the flagship event of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India. 2015 is the centenary year of the return of Mahatma Gandhi to his motherland from South Africa on January 9, 1915, from where he led freedom struggle against the British.
Today’s Event:
Today, 9th January is The last day of the Event
Chief Ministers of various states will try to seek investment from NRI delegates in their respective states.
The Vice-President will give away prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Awards to individuals of exceptional merit to appreciate their role in India’s growth, during the concluding session.
Cultural programmes will also be held on a big scale on the evenings of January 8 and 9 for the NRIs.
Gujarat is the partner country for the event. Other states participating in the event are Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala and Nagaland.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US-based astronaut Sunita Williams, who has roots in Gujarat, will take part in the ‘Youth PBD’ programme at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, the venue of the convention.
NRI delegates from over 58 countries are expected to participate in the event which will have a battery of speakers including Vice President Hamid Ansari, Narendra Modi, senior Cabinet ministers, besides prominent NRI personalities spanning the fields of education, politics and business.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas held at the Mahatma Mandir complex. there is affection and respect for every Indian throughout the world because of the values they possess and not the wealth.
Prime Minister Modi said, It is the responsibility of every Indian, including Pravasis (diaspora) to become the driving force to achieve new results for India.
Presented cultural programme at Kankaria lake front held on the first day of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015.
Cultural performance covered traditional dances from various states of India. Kankaria Lake Front has been closed for common public due to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas functions.
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.
These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.
During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.
NRI delegates from over 58 countries are expected to participate in the event which will have a battery of speakers including Vice President Hamid Ansari, Narendra Modi, senior Cabinet ministers, besides prominent NRI personalities spanning the fields of education, politics and business.
