The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the Government of India’s flagship event. It provides an important platform for interacting with overseas Indians and engaging with the diaspora. In partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Government, the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will take place in Indore from 08-10 January 2023. This year’s PBD Convention theme is “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 countries have registered.
There will be three segments at the PBD Convention. In partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be inaugurated on 08 January 2023. Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be hosted by H.E. Ms. Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia.
During the PBD Convention on 9 January 2023, Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, will inaugurate the convention. The Chief Guest will address the convention. The Special Guest of Honour is H.E. Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Hon’ble President of the Republic of Suriname, as well as Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
As part of the initiative, a commemorative stamp titled ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ will be released. In addition to inaugurating the first digital PBD exhibition, the Hon’ble Prime Minister will also mark the contribution of our diaspora freedom fighters to India’s Independence with the theme “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle”. On January 9, a special Town Hall will also be held in light of India’s current G20 presidency.
On 10 January 2023, Hon’ble Rashtrapati ji, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 and preside over the Valedictory Session. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are conferred to select members of the Indian diaspora for their achievements and contributions to a variety of fields, both in India and abroad.
Five plenary sessions will be held at the PBD Convention:
· First Plenary on ‘Role of Diaspora Youth in Innovations and new Technologies’, chaired by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.
Second Plenary on ‘Role of Indian Diaspora in promoting Indian Healthcare Eco-system in Amrit Kaal: Vision @2047’, chaired by Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and co-chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.
Third Plenary on ‘Leveraging the soft power of India – Goodwill through craft, cuisine & creativity’, chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi.
Fourth Plenary on ‘Enabling global mobility of Indian workforce – Role of Indian Diaspora’, chaired by Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
Fifth Plenary on ‘Harnessing the potential of diaspora entrepreneurs towards an inclusive approach to nation building’, chaired by Minister of Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
In all Plenary Sessions, eminent diaspora experts will participate in panel discussions.
As the first physical event organized after the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in four years, the 17th PBD Convention holds significance. During the Pandemic in 2021, the last PBD Convention was held virtually.
**News Source: PIB India**