India’s Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, along with the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, launched the website for the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) on November 12, 2024, in New Delhi.
The flagship convention of the Indian Government will be held from January 8 -10, 2025, at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha. The PBD serves as a platform for the Indian Government to connect and engage with the Indian Diaspora around the world.
The theme of the upcoming convention is “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat.” The three-day event will encompass five thematic plenary sessions ranging from sustainable development to women empowerment, including exhibitions from the Ramayana. In a first, the convention will also highlight the contributions of the diaspora to technology, underscoring that India balances tradition and technology, the Foreign Minister said. An exhibition will also be organized by the Government of Odisha, showcasing the cultural heritage, artistry and diversity of the state, he added.
Highlighting Bhubaneshwar as the ‘temple city of India,’ Minister Jaishankar remarked that it will offer a unique experience of India to delegates with its natural beauty, and cultural and architectural heritage. He also added that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India has prioritized the well-being of its diaspora.
The PM’s regular interactions with the Diaspora during his official visits abroad and the former’s unwavering support to India’s growth are testimony to the strong bond shared between India and its global community, Minister Jaishankar said. He reiterated that the Diaspora would continue to play an important role in making a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The PBD will begin with a youth edition held jointly with the Ministry of Youth Affairs on the first day, followed by a formal inauguration by the Prime Minister on the second day. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be held on the third and final day. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards and preside over the Valedictory ceremony.
With the website launch, registrations have officially commenced for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025. The website will serve as a central platform for all communication pertaining to the three-day convention. It will provide all the important information regarding logistics, program schedule, advisories, and tourist destinations in Odisha to the visiting delegates. Minister Jaishankar urged Indian missions, and posts abroad, as well as Diaspora organizations to promote the event and encourage participation.
In a further effort to deepen engagement with the Diaspora and those interested in learning more about India, the Minister launched the 5th Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz on November 11, 2024. Organized under PM Modi’s leadership, the quiz celebrates India’s ethos, culture, history, achievements, and aspirations. Open to Diaspora members and foreigners aged 14 to 50, the quiz offers the top 30 scorers a two-week journey to explore India, with winners also receiving an invitation to attend the 18th PBD.
