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Pravasi Divas refers to the celebration of 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' (Non-Resident Indian Day), an event celebrated in India on January 9th, annually to recognize the overseas Indian community's contributions to the development of India.
This is marked by various events and activities, including discussions, cultural programs, and awards ceremonies. It provides a platform for the Indian diaspora to engage with each other and with the government of India. The event was first celebrated on January 9, 2003, to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.
Since 2003, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been observed on 9th January to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.
A High-Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, headed by jurist and Parliamentarian LM Singhvi, had recommended in January 2002 that the government must renew and strengthen linkages of overseas Indians to their place of origin, and with each other.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first organized on January 9, 2003, to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. The inaugural event was held in New Delhi and was inaugurated by the then-Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Since its inception, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been observed annually on January 9th. The event is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the states of India and various organizations.
The primary objectives of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas include recognizing and celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Indian diaspora, facilitating networking and collaboration among overseas Indians, addressing their concerns and expectations, and encouraging their active participation in the development of India.
The Ministry of External Affairs has not released the 2024 theme for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is given out as part of the program. It is the highest honor conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO); or an organization or institution established and run by them.
|
Year |
Dates |
Venue |
|
2003 |
9-11 January, 2003 |
New Delhi |
|
2004 |
9-11 January, 2004 |
New Delhi |
|
2005 |
7-9 January, 2005 |
Mumbai |
|
2006 |
7-9 January, 2006 |
Hyderabad |
|
2007 |
7-9 January, 2007 |
New Delhi |
|
2008 |
7-9 January, 2008 |
New Delhi |
|
2009 |
7-9 January, 2009 |
Chennai |
|
2010 |
7-9 January, 2010 |
New Delhi |
|
2011 |
7-9 January, 2011 |
New Delhi |
|
2012 |
7-9 January, 2012 |
Jaipur |
|
2013 |
7-9 January, 2013 |
Kochi |
|
2014 |
7-9 January, 2014 |
New Delhi |
|
2015 |
7-9 January, 2015 |
Gandhinagar |
|
2017 |
7-9 January, 2017 |
Bengaluru |
|
2019 |
21-23 January, 2019 |
Varanasi |
|
2021 |
9 January, 2021 |
Virtual |
|
2023 |
8-10 January,2023 |
Indore |
|
PBD Year |
Name & Position |
Country |
|
2003 |
Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister |
Mauritius |
|
2004 |
Shri Bharrat Jagdeo, President |
Guyana |
|
2005 |
Shri J.R. Ajodhia, Vice President |
Suriname |
|
2006 |
Shri Ahmed Kathrada, Political Activist |
South Africa |
|
2007 |
Prof. S. Jayakumar, Dy. Prime Minister |
Singapore |
|
2008 |
Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister |
Mauritius |
|
2009 |
Dr. Ramdien Sardjoe, Vice President |
Suriname |
|
2010 |
Dr. Khalid Hameed, Chairman, Alpha Hospital Group |
UK |
|
2011 |
Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General |
New Zealand |
|
2012 |
H.E. Ms. Kamla Persad Bissessar |
Trinidad and Tobago |
|
2013 |
Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, President |
Mauritius |
|
2014 |
Dato Sri G. Palanivel, Federal Minister for Natural Resources and Environment |
Malaysia |
|
2015 |
H.E. Mr. Donald Rabinderanauth Ramotar, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana |
Guyana |
|
2017 |
Dr. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister |
Portugal |
|
2019 |
Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister |
Mauritius |
|
2021 |
H.E. Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President |
Suriname |
|
2023 |
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana |
Guyana |
Q1. When is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024 observed?
Ans: The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024 is observed on 9th January.
Q2. What is the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024 theme?
Ans: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024 theme has not yet been announced by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Q3: When was the First NRI Day celebrated?
Ans: The NRI Day for the first time was observed in 2003.
