Reconnecting overseas Indians with our roots! 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being celebrated today
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New Delhi, January 9: With an aim to provide a platform for NRIs to express their feelings and perceptions about India and to create a network of NRIs in all the countries of the world and connecting the younger generation with immigrants, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on January 09. The occasion to commemorating this day is that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on January 09, 1915.
The purpose of celebrating this day is to recognize the overseas Indians who have contributed to the development of India. This day was first celebrated in 2003.
The day is celebrated to know the difficulties faced by the Indian laborers living abroad and the government resolve their issues. On this day, the government puts a focus on reconnecting overseas Indians with their roots so that they can contribute significantly to the development of the country.
This day has been celebrated every year since 2003 in many places in the country. In 2019, it was celebrated by the Government of India at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In 2018, it was celebrated in Singapore.
On this occasion of #PravasiBharatiyaDivas I thank overseas Indian community for their contribution towards the development of India.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) January 9, 2020
The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi, from South Africa to India on 9 Jan1915 & its 150th year of birth Anniversary of Mahatma pic.twitter.com/VdOsvoAPml
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (PBSA) is conferred every year on January 09 on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This award is conferred by the President of India to NRIs or, PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) or an organization established by NRIs or PIOs, who have made a significant contribution in supporting, promoting and building India’s links overseas.
The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken in accordance with recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on the Indian Diaspora set up by government of India under the chairmanship of L. M. Singhvi. The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, received the report of the Committee at a public function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on January 8, 2002, and announced the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ (PBD) on January 9, 2002.
The Embassies of India in various countries have invited Indian nationals as well as others to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in the respective countries.