Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Madhya Pradesh's Indore saying that the world is watching India keenly. Addressing the opening ceremony, PM Modi said that India not only has the capability of becoming a knowledge center but also a skilled capital. Our youth has skills, values, honesty and determination towards work. Our skilled capital can become the world's growth engine.
"Today India is being looked at with hope and curiosity. India’s voice is being heard on the global stage... India is also the host for this year's G20. We do not want to make it only a diplomatic event, but an event of people’s participation," the Prime Minister said.
"I welcome you all on behalf of all countrymen. This Convention is being held on the land which is called heart of the country. People say Indore is a city but I say it's a 'Daur' which walks ahead of time but carries heritage along with it," PM Modi said.
"I call all Indian diasporas as brand ambassadors of India. Your role as India's brand ambassador is diverse. You are a brand ambassador of Make in India, Yoga, Handicraft industry and at the same time of India's millets," he said.
President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is the chief guest at the event, lauded India's role during the Covid crisis saying, "When the world couldn't find vaccine and you faced the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, you showed the world what real love and hope is when India shared vaccine with the rest of the world."
"India used fruits of its independence to assist other developing countries. PM Modi, we owe you a debt of gratitude. When world locked its borders & globalisation failed, you showed that globalisation can still succeed and there's still love when hardest of times hit us," Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 theme
The theme of the PBD convention is 'Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal', officials earlier said. 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.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the first-ever digital PBD exhibition on the theme "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle” to highlight the contribution of the diaspora freedom fighters in India’s Independence, an official said.
A commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ was also released to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly and skilled migration. In view of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20, a special town hall will also be organised.
The G20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies.
It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU).
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9 to mark the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai from South Africa on that day in 1915.
Since 2015, the convention is being organised every two years to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community to the development of the nation.
The Centre has organised the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh government.
On Sunday, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Anurag Thakur had addressed the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas programme held as part of the PBD convention.
Australia's Member of Parliament Zaneta Mascarenhas was the guest of honour at the event.
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