Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Official nameप्रवासी भारतीय दिवस
Observed byMinistry of External Affairs, Government of India
SignificanceTo remember the favors and contributions made by Non Resident Indians to the welfare and development of the nation.
Date21–23 January 2019
FrequencyYearly till 2015; Biennial since then
First time2003
Related toIndian Arrival Day

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Hindi: प्रवासी भारतीय दिवस, Pravāsī Bhāratīya Divasa, English: Overseas Indian Day) is a celebratory day observed (starting in 2003) on 9 January by the Republic of India to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community towards the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915.[1]

Established in 2000, it is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. This celebratory event is held from the 8th to the 10th of January every other year in a selected city in India: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organised, and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards are given.[2][3]

In 2006, the concept of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at Hyderabad on 9 January.

In 2014, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in New Delhi and was attended by 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. President Pranab Mukherjee gave the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.[4]

In 2013, 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Kochi from 7–9 January, where the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is organising partner of the summit.[5] The President of Mauritius, Rajkeswur Purryag, was the chief guest at the official inaugural session.[6] Canadian Minister Jason Kenney became the first individual of non-Indian heritage to address the gathering.

The 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7–9 January 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Theme for this year was Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations.[7]

The 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7–9 January 2015 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The theme for this year was "Apna Bharat, Apna Gaurav".

The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which was supposed to be held during 7–9 January 2016 at New Delhi, was cancelled under the MEA's decision to make the event biennial.[8]

The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7–9 January 2017 at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The theme for this year was "Redefining engagement with the Indian diaspora".[9]

The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 6–7 January 2018 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.[10]

The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas[11] was held during 21–23 January 2019 at Varanasi, India. The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, was the guest of honour.[12]

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was held in Indore from 8-10 January

  1. ^ Tharoor, Shashi (15 January 2013). "The Global Indian". Project Syndicate.
  2. ^ "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  3. ^ "About us". PBD website. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011.
  4. ^ "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas concludes; Overseas Indian doctors ready to help India". The Economic Times. 9 January 2011.
  5. ^ "Canadian team to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Manmohan to open Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". The Hindu.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014 to be held at New Delhi from January 7". Biharprabha News. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  8. ^ "MEA | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". Mea.gov.in. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India". pbdindia.gov.in. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2018". Pbdsingapore2018.org. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Pravasi Bhartiya Divas". pbdvaranasi.com. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Celebration of 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from 21-23 January, 2019 at Varanasi". www.mea.gov.in. Retrieved 8 October 2019.