17th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas Convention

                                 17^th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas Convention

 

Why in News?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9^th January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to the development of India.

 

1. The PM inaugurated the 17^th three days Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and a digital exhibition on the contribution of the diaspora in the freedom struggle. 
2. He also released a commemorative stamp, ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ on the occasion.

 

So, What is Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)?

1. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
2. It is held in a different city each year, with the aim of showcasing the diversity and progress of different regions of India.
3. 9^th January was chosen as the day to celebrate PBD since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa and led India’s freedom struggle.
4. First time, this day was celebrated in 2003, but in 2015 it was revised and was decided to be celebrated every 2 years. PBD Conventions are held once every 2 years.
5. PBD 2023: The theme is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
6. On this day, the Government also confers Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
7. It is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO); or an organisation or institution established and run by NRI OR PIO, who have made significant contributions to a better understanding of India abroad, support India's causes and concerns in a tangible way.
8. In addition to the convention, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations also include a Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which is held in the run-up to the main event and aims to engage young people of Indian origin in discussions about their role in shaping the future of the diaspora.

 

Significance of PBD:

1. 1. This day plays a significant role as the overseas Indian community gets a shared platform to get themselves engaged with the government and the native people of the country.
   2. The convention is very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

 

About the Indian Diaspora

1. India has the largest diaspora population in the world with 18 million people from the country living outside their homeland in 2022, according to the 'International Migration 2022 Highlights' report by the UN, which says UAE, the US and Saudi Arabia host the largest number of migrants from India. 
2. India's large diaspora is distributed across the United Arab Emirates (3.5 million), the United States of America (2.7 million) and Saudi Arabia (2.5 million).
3. Other countries hosting large numbers of Indian migrants included Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
4. China and Russia also have spatially diffused diasporas. 
5. According to a World Bank Report, India received approximately 87 billion dollars in remittances in 2021 with the USA being the biggest source, accounting for over 20% of these funds.

 

 

India’s policy towards the Diaspora:

1. India was initially concerned that advocating for overseas Indians might insult host countries, which should have full responsibility for their welfare and security.
2. According to J L Nehru, the diaspora could not expect India to fight for their rights, and hence India’s foreign policy in the 1950s was built on a model of non-intervention.
3. However, Rajiv Gandhi was the 1^st  Prime Minister to alter the diaspora policy in the 1980s, by urging Indians living abroad, regardless of their nationality, to join in nation-building efforts, similar to the overseas Chinese communities.
4. After 2000, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, a number of positive measures were introduced, including a separate Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Overseas Citizen of India Card, NRI funds, and voting rights for Indian citizens living abroad.
5. The present regime has carried forward the work in a positive direction. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the e-migrate system in 2015, which requires all foreign employers to register with the database.

 

 

About the Government’s Initiatives related to Overseas Indians are:

1. Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY): This scheme focuses on skill development of emigrant Indian workers.
2. Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC): 100 scholarships per annum are granted to PIO and NRI students for undergraduate courses.
3. Know India Program’ (KIP): It familiarizes Indian-origin youth (18-30 years) with their Indian roots and contemporary India.
4. E-migrate System: It is a foreign employers database. It ensures the welfare and check on exploitation met to emigrants.
5. VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty) Scheme: It formalizes a rotation program wherein top NRI scientists, engineers, doctors, managers and professionals serve Indian public sector organizations for a brief period and lending their expertise.

 

Conclusion

PBD is an important event for the overseas Indian community, as it provides a platform for them to connect with their roots and to contribute to the development of India. It is also a great opportunity for the Government of India to engage with the overseas Indian community and to showcase the country's achievements and progress. PBD is a celebration of the strong bond between India and the Indian diaspora, and the important role that the overseas Indian community plays in the growth and development of India.

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