Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a day dedicated by the Government of India to the Indian Diaspora. It is celebrated every year on 9 January, this day is celebrated by the Indian diaspora abroad to increase the name of India with their hard work and dedication. It was on this day that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and took over the leadership of the Indian freedom struggle.
This day shows the contribution made by the overseas Indians in the development of India because they have not only brought laurels to India abroad through their works, but have also made an important contribution in strengthening the Indian economy.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021
This year the 16th Pravasi India Divas convention was celebrated. The event was held on 9 January 2021 (Saturday). The theme of Pravasi India Divas 2021 was “Contribution to Self-reliant India”.
Pravasi India Divas 2020 Special
On the last day of Pravasi India Divas, 30 overseas Indians living abroad were honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for their distinguished work by President Ram Nath Kovind.
Why celebrate Pravasi India Divas?
Pravasi India Divas is celebrated in honor of the Indian diaspora. Who, with his dedication and hard work, raised the flag of Indian culture abroad and raised the value of his country. Celebration of Pravasi India Divas was started from the year 2003. There is a historical reason behind celebrating this day on 9th January as it was when Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa.
This is the reason why this day is celebrated on 9th January. The suggestion to the government to celebrate Pravasi India Divas was first given by Late Laxmi Mal. He believed that the Indian diaspora is just like Indian citizens in the progress of India and by giving them due respect, we can give a rapid impetus to the progress of India.
Events to be held on Pravasi India Divas
Many programs are organized on Pravasi India Divas. Mainly this program is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, in which programs like cultural programs, speeches, prize distribution are prominent. These programs on Pravasi India Divas add to the splendor of this festival even more. On this day, an important Indian expatriate is invited by the Government of India as the chief guest of this program, who has illuminated the name of India through his works.
After this, the achievements of the Indian diaspora are discussed as well as their problems and problems are also discussed and efforts are made to overcome them. During this time NRIs are encouraged to invest in India to enhance technology and industry. There are many schemes run by the Government of India for the expatriates investing in India, so that they can easily establish business and industry in India.
How is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated?
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has its own special way of celebrating. First of all, this program is inaugurated by the Prime Minister by lighting the lamp. After this the Chief Guest, the Prime Minister and the honorable person take their seats. After these works, various types of speeches, colorful and cultural programs are presented in the celebration of this day and at the end of all this, Indian expatriates are honored with awards by the President to increase the name of India abroad.
So far Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been celebrated at these places
- In 2003 the first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2004 the second Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2005 the third Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Mumbai.
- In 2006, the fourth Pravasi Divas was held in Hyderabad, India.
- In 2007 the fifth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2008, the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2009 the seventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Chennai.
- In 2010, the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2011, the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2012, the tenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Jaipur.
- In 2013 the eleventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Kerala.
- In 2014, the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
- In 2015, the thirteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Gandhinagar.
- In 2017, the fourteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Bangalore.
- In 2018, the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
- In 2019, the sixteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Varanasi.
- In 2020, the seventeenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in New Delhi.
- In 2021, the eighteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in New Delhi.
Chief Guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas organized so far
- In 2003, the Prime Minister of Mauritius Sir Anerudjagunath was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2004, the President of Guyana, Mr. Bharat Jagdev was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2005, the Vice President of Suriname J.R. Ajodhia was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2006, Mr. Ahmedkathrada, a South African political activist and contemporary of Nelson Mandela, was the chief guest of the Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2007, the eminent Singaporean Prof. s. Jayakumar was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2008, the Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Navinchandraramgoolam was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2009, the Vice-President of Suriname, Dr. Ramadin Sardoje was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2010, Dr Khalilhameed, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Chairman of AlphaHospital Group, was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2011, the Governor General of New Zealand Sir Anand Satyanand was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2012, Mrs. Kamla Prasad Bissner, a citizen of Tridinadavtobagoki, was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2013, the President of Mauritius, Mr. Rajkeswarpuryag was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2014, Malaysia’s Federal Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Dato Shree G. Paleniwal was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2015, Mr. Donaldrabindranatharamotar, a citizen of Guyana and President of the Corporate Republic of Guyana, was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- In 2017, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was the chief guest of Pravasi India Divas.
- The Chief Guest of the 15th Pravasi India Divas to be held in 2019 was the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jagunath.
- In 2020, Chandrika Prasad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname was the chief guest.
- Chief Guest in 2021: President of Suriname was Chandrika Prasad Santokhi.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Theme
The theme of any event or event is its most important link, it is the slogan that explains the importance and purpose of that event or program to the people. Having a theme in an event is also very important because most people may forget the day of an event but remember its theme for a long time. Similarly, the themes of Pravasi India Divas, while trying to make us understand the importance of this day, make us realize that overseas Indians also have a big contribution in the progress of our country.
Previous Years Themes of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
- 2008 – Connect with the Diaspora, Grow (Engaging the Diaspora: The Way of Forward)
- 2011 – Connect with Global Indians (Engaging the Global Indians)
- 2012 – Global Indian – Inclusive Growth (Global Indian – Inclusive Growth)
- 2015 – Apna Bharat Apna Gaurav (Connecting Across Generations)
- 2019 – Role of Indian Diaspora in Building a New India (Role of Indian Diaspora in Building a New India)
- 2021 – Theme of Indian Pravasi Diwas 2021 – “Contribution to self-reliant India” (Contribution to self-reliant India)
Need for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
The day of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is very important for us as this day reminds us of the contribution of overseas citizens in the development of India. Who not only increased the name of India abroad with his hard work, but also made a significant contribution to India’s economic progress. Even though the migrant citizens of India have settled abroad, they have adopted their culture and civilization even today and stand with India in every difficult time. Be it natural calamity or economic or political crisis, the NRIs tried to help India in every way and always raised their voice in favor of India in their country of residence for the unity and integrity of India.
This program of Pravasi India Divas is being celebrated with great pomp since 2003 due to this attachment to his native residence and his contribution to the progress of India.
Reasons to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
According to the figures published in 2016, about 31 million Indian expatriates live abroad, of which about 18 million are migrants of Indian origin and 13 million are non-resident Indians spread across 146 countries of the world. Due to their hard work and dedication, Indian diaspora is considered as an ideal minority citizen abroad. Due to this hard work, he is today posted in many high positions abroad, who take India’s side in every difficult situation.
Even though the Indian diaspora left India, they did not leave their culture and propagated it wherever they went. Which helped people abroad to know better about Indian culture. Apart from this, the money sent by them also strengthens the Indian economy, according to the data, overseas Indians, including non-resident Indians and laborers working abroad. An amount of 69 billion dollars is sent by them to India every year, which is the highest in the whole world in terms of kermitance.
Just as one of India’s greatest diaspora Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa and led India’s independence, brought us freedom, in the same way, Pravasi India Divas is celebrated by observing the contribution of Indian diaspora settled abroad in the development of India. This program is celebrated on such a grand scale and with great pomp.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
The Pravasi India Divas is honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman on the day of Pravasi India Divas to the overseas Indians who wave the flag of India abroad. It was started in the year 2003, this award is given to overseas Indians who have done excellent work in their field of work. This honor is conferred by the President of India to overseas citizens. So far this award has been given to 136 people.
