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)

Why is it in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his wishes to the Indian diaspora on the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and said their dedication towards preserving our rich heritage and strengthening global ties is commendable.

What is Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas?

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9 to mark the contribution and achievements of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.
• The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, from South Africa to India in 1915, who led India's freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
• Its format was later revised in 2015 to celebrate the event once every two years and to hold theme-based conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders.
• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: History

• Pravasi Bharatiya Diva was first celebrated in 2003.
• It was an annual event earlier, but in 2015, the government revised its format to celebrate PBD once every two years.
• To date, 17 conventions have been held.
• The last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in the Indore of Madhya Pradesh in 2023.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards:

• Another aspect of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
• The awards were initiated in 2003 by the Indian Government to recognize the achievements and contributions of NRIs and PIOs in various fields such as education, science and technology, arts and culture, social work, public service, trade and industry, and philanthropy.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Significance

• These conventions provide a platform for the overseas Indian community to engage with the Indian government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.
• These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.