Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to the development of India.
On the occasion, several events such as PBD Convention, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award and Bharat ko Janiye Quiz are organised.
In order to connect India with vast overseas diaspora and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills on a common platform, the PBD Convention – the flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is organized from January 7th-9th every year since 2003.
This year in 2022, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan will speak at a virtual youth PBD conference on the “role of Indian diaspora” in innovation and new technology.
Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conference on 9 Jan 22 from 11AM IST.
Discussion on: Role of Diaspora Youth in AKAM – Innovation and New Technologies.
Joinus@: https://t.co/YN0czcOBjK#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #PravasiBharatiyaDivas @MEAIndia @MOS_MEA @NITIAayog pic.twitter.com/mT9ilA5Bag— Overseas Indian Affairs (@OIA_MEA) January 8, 2022
History
9th January was chosen as the day to celebrate PBD since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
Since 2003, PBD conventions are being held every year. Its format was revised in 2015 to celebrate the PBD once every two years and also to hold theme-based PBD Conferences during the interim period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policymakers and stakeholders.
Significance
These conventions serve as a platform for the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of their ancestral land for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are a means of networking for the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world for allowing them to share their experiences in various fields.