In news– Every year, 9th January is observed as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)-
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
- The decision to celebrate PBD was taken by the former Indian Prime Minister, late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Objectives:
- PBD is celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
- During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.
- January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has celebrated this day since 2003 from January 07-09 every year.
- Since 2015, its format has been revised to celebrate the PBD once every two years and to hold theme-based PBD Conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy makers and stakeholders.
Source: India Today
