Every year on January 9, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated. This day commemorates the contribution of the Indian diaspora to India’s growth. This year, India will celebrate the 17th PBD Convention, which will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from 8 to 10 January 2023. The Convention will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023: Theme
The 17th PBD theme is “Diaspora: Dependable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is extremely significant in the history of India since it marks Mahatma Gandhi’s return to Mumbai from South Africa on January 9, 1915. Since 2003, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been celebrated annually. On this date, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is awarded. During the 17th PBD Convention during Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023, 30 distinguished diaspora members will be honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
World Hindi Day 2023 Date, Theme, History, Significance of Vishwa Hindi Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas History
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was founded in 2003 by the Indian government. In accordance with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on the Indian Diaspora, established by the government of India and chaired by L M Singhvi, the decision to observe the day was made. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then-Prime Minister of India, received the findings of the Committee at a public ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on January 8, 2002, and announced that the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” will be celebrated on January 9. The date was chosen to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915.
On January 9, 2003, the first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was held to recognise the contribution of the overseas Indian diaspora to India’s growth. This event is sponsored by the Government of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries, and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region. This event is held every alternate year from the 7th to the 9th of January in a selected city in India: a forum for problems pertaining to the Indian Diaspora is organised.
On January 9, 2006, the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) concept was introduced at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Hyderabad. Since 2015, the PBD Convention has been held every two years under a redesigned format. To far, sixteen Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions have been held. During the epidemic of 2021, the 16th PBD was held virtually with the subject “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Significance
The celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is of immense historical significance to India. The celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas provides Pravasis from the state with a rare opportunity to reconnect with their roots. It is an ideal time to reflect on the contributions Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have made to the nation’s welfare and progress. The 2023 PBD Convention will have five plenary sessions on a variety of topics.
