PM Modi Says Indian Diaspora Is a Vital Global Link for India
Prime Minister extends greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, highlights diaspora’s role as India’s cultural ambassadors
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended warm greetings to Indians living abroad on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, stating that the Indian diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between India and the rest of the world.
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, “Warm greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The Indian community remains a strong bridge between India and the world. Wherever they have gone, they have contributed to making societies better while staying connected to their roots. I often say that our diaspora are our ambassadors, who have taken India’s culture to every corner of the globe. Our government has taken several steps to bring our diaspora closer to India.”
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is an important national event observed every year on January 9 to recognize and honour the contribution of the Indian community to India’s development and its global standing. The occasion provides a key platform to engage with overseas Indians and acknowledge their role in promoting India’s progress across various sectors.
January 9 was chosen to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915. Regarded as the greatest migrant, Mahatma Gandhi went on to lead India’s freedom struggle and left a deep impact on the nation’s history. The day symbolizes the enduring bond between India and its people living abroad.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was first launched in 2003 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was envisioned as a formal platform to engage with the overseas Indian community, recognize their achievements, and strengthen their connection with India.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the largest event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is hosted in different cities across the country. This rotating format showcases India’s regional diversity, development, and cultural heritage, while offering overseas Indians an opportunity to connect directly with the nation.
Since 2015, the MEA has revised the format of the event, organizing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention once every two years, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. This approach enables more focused discussions on areas of specific interest and promotes meaningful dialogue and networking among members of the global Indian community.
The primary objective of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to recognize the contribution of overseas Indians to India’s development and to enhance global understanding of India. It also aims to mobilize support for India’s priorities and promote initiatives focused on the welfare of Indian communities abroad.
Over the years, the convention has facilitated the exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences across various sectors, further strengthening India’s relationship with its diaspora.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), a Person of Indian Origin (PIO), or an organization or institution established and run by them. Presented by the President of India, the award recognizes outstanding contributions toward enhancing India’s image abroad, supporting India’s causes, and working for the welfare of local Indian communities overseas.
