A large number of diaspora members from 50 different countries participated in the convention as PM Narendra Modi urged them to participate in India’s development and contribute to the world’s growth with their talent
Our Bureau
Bhubaneswar (Odisha)
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other. This year, the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar.
On Thursday, PM Narendra Modi received a grand welcome from CM Majhi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday as he arrived for the inauguration the event. The theme of this PBD Convention is “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.” A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries participated in the convention.
Speaking at the event, Modi highlighted India’s rapid progress in the 21st century, emphasizing the country’s potential to meet the global demand for skilled talent. Modi during his address also asserted that the Indian government consider it their “responsibility to help the diaspora during crisis situations.”
Modi said, “21st century India is progressing at an incredible speed and scale. For many decades to come, India will remain a country with the world’s most young and skilled population. India will fulfill the world’s demand for skilled talent India has the potential to fulfill the world’s demand for skilled talent.”
While addressing the Indian diaspora at the event, PM Modi expressed gratitude for their support and contributions. He also lauded their role in enhancing India’s global reputation.
PM Modi said,” I feel very happy when I meet you all. I never forget the love and blessings I have received from you all. Today, I also want to thank you all, because of you, I get a chance to hold my head high …In the last 10 years, I have met many world leaders and they all appreciate the Indian diaspora in their respective countries. One big reason behind this is the social values you carry…”
On Wednesday, Jaishankar stressed on the importance of India’s diaspora, calling it a “living bridge” that connects India to the world, saying, “India will be unique in terms of a major power rising which has actually used, is using, and will continue to use its diaspora as a very important pathway of its globalization and for its rise in the international order.”
Also, S Jaishankar interacted with members of the Indian diaspora from various countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Kuwait at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar. Following his interactions, he shared a number of posts on X welcoming the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas delegates from other countries.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar delivered the opening remarks of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Thursday in Odisha where he highlighted the importance of the diaspora in nation-building, noted the government’s achievements for providing a safety net for them and how the diaspora can become an anchor to bring in developmental opportunities for India.
Speaking about the event, Jaishankar said, “This function is like a family reunion; Indians living abroad are able to see and experience for themselves the progress and development taking place in their country”, he added that Indians are also proud of the success and achievements of the diaspora.
Speaking about the importance of the diaspora, Jaishankar said, “In a globalized era, the diaspora only becomes more important with each passing year. Whether it is technology, best practices or resources. Be it tourism, trade or investment, the two-way flows you enable are invaluable.”
Jaishankar noted that the people-centric changes being promoted in India also benefit the diaspora, “This could be enhancing ease of doing business, promoting ease of living or facilitating connectivity and travel. The application of digital technologies to ensure diaspora welfare is also apparent. In the last decade, we have seen the simplification of passport issues, renewal as well as ease of attestation. consular services have improved, welfare measures have increased, grievance platforms are effective.”
Speaking to reporters, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Awardee for Community Service from Australia, Ajay Rane emphasized the importance of female empowerment and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives in this regard. “We work for female empowerment. Female foeticide has deeply penetrated India and China, where, we believe, that more than 100 crore foetuses have been murdered since 1984. We work to create awareness about this issue… PM Modi’s initiative Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has saved the lives of more than 50 crore women,” he said.
An orthopaedic surgeon Kayur Bhuj, attending the event reflected on attending the event, and said that everyone wants to give something back to India. “Everybody who comes here takes out their own time from their own busy professions or businesses, and they spend their own air travel and their hotel accommodation costs. This is because of the people of Indian origin. They feel that they want to learn something from India. They want to give something back to India,” he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday, highlighted the pivotal role of India’s younger generation in driving global developments. Jaishankar emphasized that the younger generations are shaping significant global changes, including innovations in AI, electric vehicles (EVs), startups, and even sports like cricket and chess.
“At a time when so many key developments in the world are being shaped by the younger generations – whether we talk of AI or EV, innovation or startups, cricket, chess or any sports – at home we have just started our journey of Viksit Bharat in the Amrit Kaal… While development itself is a very complex task – but it becomes easier when we are confident that nothing is beyond us,” he added.
Ricky Kej expresses joy as Modi praises his welcome song
Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej performed at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Thursday. Kej, who composed the theme song for the event, shared his experience performing at the event and expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appreciation of his composition.
“The Prime Minister praised the welcome song I composed for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in his speech, which was heartwarming and encouraging… I hope that this song encourages everybody to work together for our country… so we can create a Viksit Bharat…,” said the Grammy-winning artist.
On Wednesday, Kej spoke about the honor of participating in the event, calling Bhubaneswar one of his favorite cities.
“It’s a huge honor for me to be here in Odisha, in Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar is one of my favorite cities in India, and to come here for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is amazing. Tomorrow, I’m going to be performing at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. I’ve composed the theme song for this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and I’m honored to perform that song tomorrow at the event. I’m very excited to showcase the song, which is dedicated to 1.4 billion Indians and 35 million strong members of the Indian diaspora worldwide,” he said.
Kej also shared his admiration for Odisha, calling it a state of immense beauty and “cultural heritage”.
“Odisha is a beautiful state, not only for its arts and culture but also for its tremendous heritage, beautiful temples, ancient structures, and, when it comes to agriculture and tribal communities, it’s just a beautiful, beautiful state. I’m very, very glad that the government has decided to hold this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on such a grand scale in the state of Odisha.”
US Delegates credit Modi for respect for Indians
Sarabjit Singh Dhillon, a US delegate attending the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha, expressed his admiration for India’s progress and organization of the event and said there has been a huge improvement in India’s image globally under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. On Wednesday, Dhillon highlighted the positive impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts, citing his recent visit to Australia.
“India’s relationship with foreign countries has improved a lot. Recently, PM Modi visited Australia. We as migrants get a lot of attention from foreigners now. India is improving in every field. People see us and India with respect now because of Modi ji.” he said.
“Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is very well organized…It is great to see India prospering and going ahead,” Dhillon added.
Further, Baba Daljit Singh, another US delegate praised PM Modi and highlighted his contribution to the minorities and Sikhs. “Modi ji is doing ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, and in the next couple of years, India will also be a world superpower. All that Modi ji has done for minorities and Sikhs, no one ever has done before…President Trump will take oath soon, and PM Modi and Trump are good friends. This is good news for the future for us…I want to see him (PM Modi) as the leader in India,” Baba Daljit Singh said.
