Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is an annual event celebrated on 9th January by the Republic of India to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the development of India.
The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915.
Background
The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken in accordance with recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on the Indian Diaspora set up by the government of India under the chairmanship of L. M. Singhvi. The then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, received the report of the Committee at a public function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 8 January 2002, and announced the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) on 9 January 2002. The day was chosen to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.
Significance
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs and provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians.
The event is celebrated on 9 January every year to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots. During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.
Editions
Since 2003, the event has been held every year, except for 2021 and 2022 when it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in January 2023. The theme for the 17th PBD Convention 2023 was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”
Themes
- 2023 (17th edition): “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal”
- 2022 (16th edition): “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (The event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- 2021 (15th edition): “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (The event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- 2020 (14th edition): “Role of Indian Diaspora in Building New India”
- 2019 (15th edition): “Role of Indian Diaspora in Building a New India”
- 2018 (14th edition): “Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN-India Partnership”
- 2017 (14th edition): “Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora”
- 2016 (13th edition): “Connecting Generations: Bridging Distances, Defining Dreams”
- 2015 (13th edition): “Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations”
Chief Guests
| Edition | Year | Chief Guest | |
| 8 | 2010 | Dr. Khalid Hameed, Chairman, Alpha Hospital Group | UK |
| 9 | 2011 | Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General | New Zealand |
| 10 | 2012 | H.E. Ms. Kamla Persad Bissessar | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 11 | 2013 | Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, President | Mauritius |
| 12 | 2014 | Dato Sri G. Palanivel, Federal Minister for Natural Resources and Environment | Malaysia |
| 13 | 2015 | H.E. Mr. Donald Rabinderanauth Ramotar, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana | Guyana |
| 14 | 2017 | Dr. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister | Portugal |
| 15 | 2019 | Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister | Mauritius |
| 16 | 2021 | H.E. Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President | Suriname |
| 17 | 2023 | H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana | Guyana |
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (PBS) is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. The award is conferred by the President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conventions organized since 2003 on a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin, or an organization or institution established and run by Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.
Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Along with the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is also celebrated to connect the youth of Indian origin with their ancestral land and culture. Various activities, including cultural programs, competitions, and interactive sessions, are organized to engage the youth during the event.
Important Facts
- The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated on 9 January 2003.
- January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.
- The venue for PBD is decided by the Ministry of External Affairs, and it keeps rotating in order to allow different states to host the event.
- In 2021 and 2022, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas not only honours outstanding individuals but also provides a forum for discussing issues concerning the Indian diaspora and exploring opportunities for their engagement in India’s development.