18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to Be Held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Odisha is set to host the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 8th to 10th next year in its capital city, Bhubaneswar. The event, which celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora, will take place at Janata Maidan. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the proposal submitted by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, making Bhubaneswar the venue for this prestigious global gathering.

Key Event Details

• Event : 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)
• Dates : January 8 to 10, 2025
• Location : Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Approval : Proposal approved by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi after submission from the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Event Organization

Jointly Organized by

• Odisha Government
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Preparations

• A five-member delegation from the MEA has visited Bhubaneswar to coordinate with state officials.
• Various committees have been established to ensure smooth execution of the event.

Key Attendees

• President Droupadi Murmu
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Several Union Ministers
• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi

Prime Minister’s Role

• The Prime Minister is expected to participate in the main event on the second day (January 9, 2025).
• He will launch the Pravasi Bharatiya Teerth Express, a key initiative to connect diaspora members with Indian heritage.

Global Participation

• More than 5,000 diaspora members from various countries are expected to attend the three-day convention.
• The event will attract overseas Indians, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and other dignitaries.

Cultural and Industrial Showcase

• Attendees will be given tours of key locations across Odisha.

The tours will highlight,

• Odisha’s rich cultural heritage
• Historical significance of various sites
• The state’s industrial potential and development initiatives

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Significance and History

Overview

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated annually on January 9th to honor the contributions of the overseas Indian community towards the development of India.
• The date was chosen to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915, marking the start of his role in India’s freedom movement.

Key Historical Milestones

First Celebration

• PBD was first celebrated in 2003 to recognize the contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Biennial Event

• Since 2015, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been held every two years to engage the Indian diaspora in developmental initiatives.

Last Edition

• The previous PBD was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Significance of January 9th

• Mahatma Gandhi’s Return to India (1915)
• January 9 was chosen for the PBD celebration to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s return to Mumbai from South Africa in 1915.
• Gandhi’s return marked a significant turning point in India’s freedom struggle, symbolizing the potential of the Indian diaspora in shaping the nation’s future.

Importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

• PBD recognizes the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s socio-economic, cultural, and political progress.
• The event serves as a platform for overseas Indians to reconnect with their roots and contribute to India’s development through investment, knowledge sharing, and policy collaboration.
• The celebration offers an opportunity for the Government of India to engage with the global Indian community, understand their needs, and foster relationships that support India’s global outreach.