In News:

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held from January 8-10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Key Highlights:

• Theme 2025:
  • The theme is "Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat", highlighting the vital role of the Indian diaspora in India's development into a prosperous and developed nation.
• Exhibitions:
  • The convention will feature four major themed exhibitions:
    • Vishwaroop Ram – The Universal Legacy of Ramayana: Showcasing the Ramayana’s influence through traditional and contemporary art forms.
    • Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology and Viksit Bharat: Highlighting the global technological impact of the Indian diaspora.
    • Spread and Evolution of the Indian Diaspora: Focused on the migration of Indians from Mandvi (Gujarat) to Muscat (Oman).
    • Heritage and Culture of Odisha: A look into Odisha’s rich cultural traditions.
• Key Initiatives:
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Express: PM Modi will flag off this special tourist train for the diaspora, covering key religious and tourist sites in India under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA): Recognizing significant contributions by members of the Indian diaspora in various fields.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD):

• Origins:
  • Celebrated on January 9 each year, marking Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915, symbolizing the contributions of migrants.
  • First held in 2003, the event became biennial in 2015.
• Objectives:
  • Recognizes the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s growth.
  • Fosters engagement between India and its global diaspora.
  • Strengthens India’s relations with host countries and promotes understanding of India’s culture and achievements.

Contributions of the Indian Diaspora to a Viksit Bharat:

• Economic Growth:
  • The diaspora plays a pivotal role through remittances, investments, and connecting Indian businesses to global markets.
  • Example: The development of a thorium-based fuel by a U.S.-based NRI is a significant step toward clean nuclear energy in India.
• Global Trade Linkages:
  • Facilitating partnerships, investments, and knowledge exchange to expand India’s trade base and global market presence.
• Supporting Innovation: Diaspora-driven collaborations in emerging markets boost India’s entry into high-growth sectors, enhancing the country's development prospects.
• Cultural Contributions: Indian diaspora members serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting Indian traditions, art, and heritage globally (e.g., Diwali recognized as a public holiday in several U.S. states).

Challenges Faced by the Indian Diaspora:

• Cultural Integration: Struggles with balancing cultural identity and integrating into host societies can lead to alienation.
• Political and Religious Issues: Increasing politicization and religious biases, especially against Hindus and Sikhs, in countries like the USA and Europe.
• Legal and Citizenship Issues: Complicated visa statuses, restrictive immigration laws, and issues like the H-1B visa challenge the diaspora, despite their significant contributions.
• Remittance Challenges: Economic instability, exchange rate fluctuations, and banking hurdles affect the regular flow of remittances to India, impacting families dependent on them.

Government Initiatives for the Diaspora:

• National Pension Scheme for NRIs
• Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card Scheme
• Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra
• Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)