Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2022: Theme, History, Significance, Facts

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2022: The goal of the day is to increase the abroad Indian community’s participation with the Government of India while also reuniting them with their heritage. Consider the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.

2022 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD): It is marked on January 9 to commemorate the Overseas Indian community’s contribution to India’s growth. On this day in 1915, the greatest Pravasi, Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa. He was a pivotal figure in India’s freedom struggle and forever altered the lives of Indians.

The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention gives an excellent opportunity for the government to communicate with the diaspora community, which is spread across the globe.

PBD conventions have been conducted annually since 2003. Since 2015, its framework has been altered to commemorate the PBD every two years and to organize theme-based PBD Conferences in the interim, with participation from overseas diaspora specialists, policymakers, and stakeholders. PBD commemorates the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to India’s growth.

Let us tell you that the PBD Convention is the Ministry of External Affairs’ flagship event, and it provides a crucial platform for engaging and connecting with overseas Indians. The names of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees for 2020-2021 have been released. The Awards were given to members of the Indian diaspora to recognize their accomplishments and honor their contributions to various disciplines both in India and abroad.

Despite the current COVID-19 epidemic, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was held on January 9, 2021.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Concerning the PBD Convention 2021

The convention was held virtually, and the theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021 was “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” The PBD Convention was divided into three sections and was launched by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The Chief Guest, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, also spoke. The winners of the Bharat ko Janiye Quiz for Youth were also declared.

The two Plenary sessions followed the initial session. The first was on the Diaspora’s Role in Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and it was attended by the External Affairs Minister and the Commerce and Industry Minister. The second session focused on Facing Post-Covid Challenges – Scenarios in Health, Economy, Social, and International Relations, which was addressed by the Minister of Health and the Minister of State for External Affairs.

The President delivered his Valedictory remarks to celebrate the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas during the Valedictory Session.

I’m writing to let you know that the Youth PBD was also observed digitally on the topic “Bringing together Young Achievers from India and the Indian Diaspora” on January 8, 2021, and was anchored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The event’s special guest was New Zealand’s Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector, Priyanka Radhakrishnan.

In January 2019, it was celebrated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to recognize the Indian Diaspora of Indian heritage and to encourage them to share their experience and knowledge that might aid in the growth of the country.

Why was the 9th of January chosen as NRI Day?

On January 9, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi arrived in India from South Africa, becoming the greatest Pravasi who spearheaded India’s Freedom Struggle and liberated the country from British or colonial authority. He not only altered Indians’ lives, but he also demonstrated that if a person’s aspirations and desires are clear, he or she can achieve anything. As a Non-Resident Indian, or Pravasi, he is portrayed as a symbol of the potential for change and growth in India.

According to the Indian government, NRIs have worldwide exposure in terms of global business and development initiatives. If given the opportunity, they will contribute to the development process by infusing their ideas and experiences on their motherland, India.

Do you know that the inaugural Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident Indian Day, was observed on January 9, 2003? Its format has been altered since 2015 to celebrate the PBD every two years and to organize PBD Conferences based on themes. It has been celebrated every other year since then. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 was conducted on the 21st and 23rd of January in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The theme for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day in January 2021 is

The 16th PBD Convention 2021 had the theme “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

The theme of the 2019 PBD Convention was “The Role of the Indian Diaspora in Building a New India.”

Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day in January 2021:

The PBD Convention was opened by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The Chief Guest, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, also spoke.

Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, was the Convention’s Chief Guest. On the 21st of January, 2019, Mr. Himanshu Gulati, Member of Parliament of Norway, was the Special Guest, and Mr. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament of New Zealand, was the Guest of Honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Let us tell you that the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honor bestowed to Indians living abroad. The President of India bestows this honor as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conventions, which were held in 2003.

Note: A person of Indian origin or an organization or institution founded and controlled by non-resident Indians or people of Indian origin who has made significant contributions.

Some intriguing PBD or NRI Day information

  • – The majority of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention took place in New Delhi.
  • – Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are held outside of India. To provide an opportunity for people in the Indian Diaspora who are unable to go to India for the main event to connect. It was held in eight different cities.
  • – The year 2015 celebrated 100 years, or a century, since Mahatma Gandhi’s homecoming. As a result, the 2015 PBD celebration was symbolic.
  • – Without a question, PBD plays a significant part in India’s progress. Because Diaspora Indians will contribute their knowledge and experiences from other countries.
  • – The PBD’s Chief Host is usually a foreigner.
  • – The Union Government observes PBD with a special theme.
  • – As previously stated, PBD is no longer an annual event since 2015.
  • – At the PBD convention, awards are handed to those who deserve them.
  • – The primary goal of PBD is to connect the Indian Diaspora.
  • – PBD is observed to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return.

As a result, we can say that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is held to bring together the Indian Diaspora to appreciate the achievements of individuals of Indian descent in their different fields and to convince them to return to their motherland with their knowledge and skills.