Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and complimented the Indian diaspora for being the country's "ambassadors to the world".
Elevating the democratic ethos of India, he said, "India is not only the 'mother of democracy' but democracy runs through our lifeblood".
PM Modi also tele-inaugurated the first journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express-a special tourist train under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
It is leaving Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi today, and this three-week long journey will take Indian diaspora members to numerous religious and tourism destinations across the country.
The PBD was attended by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, among others. It was inaugurated with a performance by three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej.
EAM Jaishankar said hosting the PBD in Odisha reflects the Modi government's "Poorvudaya" policy, showcasing the development and cultural richness of eastern India.
Welcoming the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said: "In this sacred land of Lord Jagannath and Lord Lingaraj, I welcome the Indian diaspora from all over the world. This is a time of vibrant festivals in India, right from the impending Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj to Makarsankranti, Lohri, Pongal, and Magh Bihu.".
"January 9 also marks the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 after a long stay abroad. Your presence here adds to the festive spirit of this occasion," he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the contributions of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in establishing the PBD, which has evolved into a vital platform to strengthen bonds between India and its diaspora.
"Together we celebrate India, Indian-ness, our culture, progress and our roots," he said.
Eulogizing Odisha's heritage, PM Modi said, "This land depicts the rich legacy of India, with sites such as Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, the Konark Temple, ancient ports like Tamralipti and Manikpatna. They all are treasures and fill up immense pride."
Thanking the diaspora, he said, "I have always considered diaspora members as our nation's ambassadors. The love and respect I receive from you worldwide remain unforgettable."
PM Modi underlined the Indian values that have earned respect to the diaspora in the world.
"In the last ten years, I met several leaders of the country. Every leader of the world lauds the Indian diaspora. One of the main reasons for this is the social values, that you embed in the societies of the world. We are not just the 'mother of democracy,' but democracy is a part of our life; our way of living. We do not have to teach diversity, but our life goes along with diversity," he said.
During the event, PM Modi will also inaugurate four exhibitions: Vishwaroop Ram: The Universal Legacy of Ramayana by ICCR; Diaspora's Contribution to Technology by MEA; Bharat Bharatiya: Swadesh Pardes - Abhilekhiye Virasat by the National Archives of India; and Heritage and Culture of Odisha by the Odisha government. He also visited promotional stalls showcasing contributions by Union Ministries and state governments.
The convention featured a virtual address by Chief Guest Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Afternoon and evening sessions included themes such as "Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Stories of Migrant Skills," chaired by Shobha Karandlaje, and "Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contributions to Sustainable Development," chaired by Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are to be delivered by President Droupadi Murmu on the valedictory session on Friday.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas started in 2003 under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This program gave a much-needed platform to recognize and engage with the overseas Indian community. From 2015, it is a biennial event, having the space to deliberate and network with the global diaspora over focused areas.
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