Wednesday, January 8, 2025
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) conference commenced on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with over 5,000 delegates from India and overseas anticipated to take part within the three-day occasion.
The gathering celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora and goals to strengthen ties between India and its world group.
The occasion started with the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Youth Affairs and Sports activities Minister Mansukh Mandviya, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inaugural session on Thursday, whereas President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session on Friday, throughout which she is going to confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to honor distinguished members of the diaspora.
Key Highlights and Speeches
Addressing the diaspora, S. Jaishankar urged younger Indian-origin people to advertise India as a world tourism vacation spot, emphasizing the nation’s wealthy heritage and tradition.
Highlighting the federal government’s transformative initiatives since 2014, he talked about campaigns like Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Ayushman Bharat, which purpose to empower youth and enhance high quality of life.
“India has demonstrated resilience and innovation, from pandemic recovery to advancements in space technology like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya L1, and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission,” Jaishankar said.
He additionally praised India’s digital infrastructure, citing the widespread adoption of UPI and the nation’s burgeoning ecosystem of 90,000 startups and over 100 unicorns.
Youth Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandviya referred to as on the diaspora to align with India’s imaginative and prescient of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by contributing to its world progress.
Chief Minister Majhi welcomed the diaspora with open arms, expressing delight of their achievements overseas.
Concentrate on Odisha
Highlighting Odisha’s cultural richness, Jaishankar famous the state’s non secular, archaeological, and cultural heritage.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasised Odisha’s efforts to showcase its distinctive traditions and points of interest, encouraging delegates to behave as ambassadors for the state’s tourism.
Residents of Bhubaneswar had been requested to brighten their houses and companies to create a festive ambiance.
Particular Company and Themes
The theme for this yr’s conference is Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat. President Christine Carla Kangaloo of Trinidad and Tobago, the occasion’s chief visitor, will handle the gathering nearly.
Ministry of Exterior Affairs Secretary Arun Kumar Chatterjee highlighted the diaspora’s very important position as a “living bridge” between India and the world, with 35.4 million members, together with 19.5 million Individuals of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 15.8 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
Safety and Preparations
To make sure security and clean operations, round 2,700 police personnel and 1,200 central forces have been deployed in Bhubaneswar.
The Odisha authorities has additionally referred to as on residents and companies to boost the town’s festive ambiance, making the conference a memorable expertise for guests. The final version of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
This yr’s occasion guarantees to strengthen connections between India and its world diaspora, reinforcing their shared cultural and developmental targets.
US, Canada, UK, France, Singapore, Germany, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Japan NRIs Welcomed by Odisha for 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar: Indian PM Modi to Inaugurate
