PM Modi formally inaugurates 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention at Bhubaneswar in Odisha today. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, the Indian diaspora has excelled worldwide and their accomplishments make the country proud.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is the flagship event of the Central Government that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other.

The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas kick started yesterday with the inauguration of Yuva Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

The theme of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’. 

A large number of Indian diaspora members from several countries are participating in the Convention. Several Union Ministers including Dr S Jaishankar, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jual Oram and Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi are attending the Convention. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi also virtually flagged off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora.

The train, to be run under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana, will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and will travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious importance in India for a period of three weeks.

Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, the country has started its journey towards ‘viksit Bharat’, acknowledging the young diaspora’s role in enhancing the perception of India globally.

He said, that in a globalised era, the diaspora only becomes more important with each passing year. He said whether it is technology, tourism, trade or investment, the two-way flows they enable are invaluable.

He said, the people-centric changes that is promoted in India also benefit the diaspora.

President Droupadi Murmu will attend the valedictory function of the convention in Bhubaneswar tomorrow.

The President will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman upon members of the Indian diaspora to recognise their achievements in various fields.