PM Modi inaugurates 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore on January 9. 

• PM Modi released a commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly and skilled migration.

• He also inaugurated the first-ever digital PBD Exhibition on the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’.

• The theme of PBD Convention 2023 is “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.

• More than 3,500 diaspora members from 70 countries have registered for the event, which is being organised in physical mode for the first time since 2019.

• The 16th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was held in virtual mode in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 to recognise the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the growth and development of India. 

• January 9 was chosen for PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and led its freedom struggle.

• Theme-based PBD Conventions are held once every two years with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy makers and stakeholders. 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is a flagship event of the government of India and provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indian diaspora. 

• The first PBD Convention was organised on January 2, 2003 to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.

• These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

• Since 2015, under a revised format, PBD Convention has been organised once every 2 years.

• During the convention, selected overseas Indians are honoured with prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, to recognise their contribution in various fields both in India and abroad.

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