Celebrating Indian Diaspora: the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is an annual event celebrated on January 9 in India to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on January 9, 1915, which is regarded as the beginning of the Indian independence movement.
A day for immigrants to connect with their community
The PBD is celebrated as a way to strengthen the bonds between India and the overseas Indian community and to recognise the contributions made by non-resident Indians (NRIs) and people of Indian origin (PIOs) to their countries of residence in India. The PBD is celebrated on the day Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa, where he lived for more than two decades. The event was first celebrated in 2003, and since then, it has been held every year to recognise the role of the overseas Indian community in the country’s development.
The event includes a conference, cultural events, and an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of the overseas Indian community. The PBD conference is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The conference provides a platform for discussing issues of concern to the overseas Indian community, such as immigration, education, employment, and investment opportunities.
The PBD is celebrated in India and other countries, with many Indians living overseas, such as in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore.
Contributions of Indian immigrants are awarded.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is presented annually as a part of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to mark the contributions of the overseas Indian community to the development of their homeland. This year, the award ceremony will honour 27 Indians living overseas for outstanding achievements in India and abroad.
India has the world’s largest diaspora population.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, India has the largest diaspora population in the world, with approximately 17.5 million people living outside of the country.
The essential figures in the Indian diaspora
The success of individuals of Indian descent in the business world is indicative of the contributions and strengths of the Indian diaspora. According to S&P Global Ratings, no fewer than 58 Fortune 500 companies are currently run by CEOs of Indian descent.
Many notable individuals of Indian descent have succeeded in various fields, including business, politics, entertainment, and more. The most known examples are Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google; Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft; and former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. There is also Rishi Sunak, who was recently elected as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
A cross-cultural country both domestically and internationally.
With its diverse population in the country and overseas, India is a highly diverse culture that has influenced and been influenced by various cultures. Therefore, Indian culture is one of the critical cultures to understand and study to have a broader understanding of the global mainstream culture.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a meaningful day to celebrate to signify the impact of Indian culture across the world and in India. It is vital to realise and discover days of influence in different world cultures.
