Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Mayuri
Feb, 2025
•2 min read
Introduction
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), or NRI Day, is celebrated annually on January 9 to recognize the contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in India’s development. This day commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, a pivotal moment in India’s freedom struggle. Over the years, PBD has evolved into a platform for engaging the Indian diaspora in nation-building and fostering cultural, economic, and strategic ties.
History of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
- Inception: The first PBD was celebrated on January 9, 2003, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership.
- Biennial Event: Since 2015, it has been celebrated biennially to ensure better planning and broader participation.
- Historical Context: The date marks Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India, symbolizing the transformative role of Indians abroad.
- Key Objectives: Strengthening ties with the diaspora and recognizing their socio-economic and cultural contributions.
- Themes Over Time: Focused on diaspora engagement, cultural heritage, skill development, and global partnerships.
Theme for 2025: Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat
The 2025 theme underscores the critical role of NRIs and PIOs in shaping India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation. Key highlights include:
- Leveraging the diaspora’s expertise in technology, education, and innovation.
- Encouraging investments and entrepreneurship for economic growth.
- Promoting India’s global soft power through cultural diplomacy.
- Fostering sustainable development through collaborations in green energy and climate action.
- Strengthening India’s position in the global value chain through knowledge-sharing networks.
Significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
1. Strengthening Cultural Bonds
- Reinforces the shared cultural heritage between India and its diaspora.
- Promotes Indian languages, traditions, and festivals globally.
2. Economic Contributions
- Highlights the role of remittances, which account for nearly $100 billion annually (2022 data).
- Encourages investments in India’s startups, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.
3. Enhancing Global Advocacy
- Positions India as a key global player by leveraging the diaspora’s influence in international forums.
- Promotes India's foreign policy goals through diaspora networks.
4. Promoting Technological and Social Development
- Engages the diaspora in research, innovation, and education initiatives.
- Collaborates on global challenges like climate change and public health.
5. Policy Formulation and Nation-Building
- Facilitates diaspora participation in policymaking.
- Encourages NRIs to contribute to flagship schemes like Digital India, Skill India, and Startup India.
Conclusion
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas serves as a vital link between India and its global diaspora, recognizing their role as ambassadors of India’s culture and contributors to its socio-economic growth. The 18th PBD Convention, with its focus on “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat,” highlights the significance of NRIs and PIOs in realizing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Strengthening these bonds will not only drive economic progress but also enhance India’s cultural and strategic presence on the global stage.