Diaspora achievements key focus at PBD convention

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Indian diaspora’s achievements and contributions across the world and ways to further deepen their engagement with India are set to be the key focus at the threeday Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention to be held in Bhubaneswar from January 8.

India’s economic growth, policy reforms and developmental trajectory in several key sectors are also likely to be showcased to woo overseas Indian investors at the convention. A large number of overseas Indians, including top businessmen, entrepreneurs and economists from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention.

The PBD is celebrated on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India on that day in 1915. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the highprofile event on January 9.

It will feature a virtual address by chief guest Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The theme of the convention is ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’.

President Droupadi Murmu will deliver the valedictory address on January 10. She will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2025 on select members of the Indian diaspora to recognise their achievements.

India’s economic growth, policy reforms and the country’s developmental trajectory in several key sectors will be showcased at the convention with an aim to strengthen the country’s connect with its diaspora, people familiar with the preparation for the event said. The country will also be showcased as an attractive investment destination.

This year, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Odisha government. Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate four exhibitions at the PBD convention, including one titled ‘Vishwaroop Ram — The Universal Legacy of Ramayana’.

This exhibition would present the timeless epic of Ramayana through a curated juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary art forms, the MEA said on Sunday.

The second exhibition will be on the diaspora’s contribution to technology and Viksit Bharat. It will acknowledge the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the development of technology in the world.

Another exhibition would be on the spread and evolution of the Indian diaspora in the world. It will showcase rare documents of people who migrated from Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman.

The PBD convention will have five thematic plenary sessions including one on ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Stories of Migrant Skills’ and another titled ‘Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalised World’.

The third plenary will be ‘Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contributions to Sustainable Development’.

Another will be ‘Diaspora Divas: Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Influence — Nari Shakti’.

The MEA said the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will also be held on January 8.