The 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9 in Bhubaneswar, celebrates the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland.
18th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)
- With the theme “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), the event highlights the role of overseas Indians in India’s progress and development.
- Scheduled from January 8-10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the convention serves as a vital platform for connecting with the global Indian community.
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)
- First instituted in 2003 by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PBD is a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Observed biennially since 2015, it features theme-based conferences in intervening years to foster focused discussions and networking.
- The event is strategically hosted in various cities to showcase India’s regional diversity and development.
- The PBD underscores the strong bonds between India and its diaspora, recognizing their role as ambassadors of India’s culture, values, and global aspirations.
- This bi-annual celebration, held on January 9th, commemorates the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead the country’s freedom struggle.
