January 7th 2025.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is set to begin in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, and the Odisha government has gone to great lengths to showcase the state's rich culture and heritage to the NRIs coming from 50 different countries.
The convention will kick off with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, which is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The opening ceremony on Thursday will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the closing ceremony on Friday will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu. The convention will also see Murmu honoring members of the Indian diaspora with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for their achievements in various fields.
The chief guest for this edition of the convention is Trinidad and Tobago President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who will address the attendees virtually. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja announced that 21 destinations in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Jajpur have been carefully chosen for the delegates to visit and experience.
The convention is expected to attract over 5,000 delegates who will play the role of ambassadors for Odisha's tourism industry. Ahuja expressed hope that the state's cultural and historical significance will draw tourists from all around the world.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the important role that the Indian diaspora plays as a "living bridge" between their adopted countries and their motherland. He also noted that the Indian diaspora contributes greatly to the country's economy, with 35.4 million individuals including 19.5 million Persons of Indian Origin and 15.8 million NRIs. He encouraged the diaspora to work with Indian missions and ambassadors in promoting Indian culture abroad.
Chatterjee also shared some interesting statistics, revealing that the US has the highest number of PIOs and the UAE has the highest number of NRIs. He emphasized the potential of the diaspora in promoting Odisha's untapped tourism sector, stating that the state has a lot to offer to international tourists.
The convention will be inaugurated by PM Modi, who will remotely flag off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the diaspora. He will also inaugurate four exhibitions on the legacy of Ramayana, the diaspora's contributions to technology and sustainable development, and the heritage and culture of Odisha.
The convention will also feature five thematic plenary sessions, covering topics such as Diaspora Youth Leadership, Migrant Skills, Sustainable Development, Women's Leadership, and Culture and Belongingness. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the state for the convention, visited several shrines, including the Jagannath temple in Puri and the Sun temple at Konark.
Expressing his excitement for the convention, Jaishankar said that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being held in Odisha for the first time, and it is a great opportunity for the state to showcase itself to the world. He urged the people of Odisha to make the guests feel at home and have a memorable experience.
The state government has organized a plethora of events and festivals, such as the Rajarani Music Festival, International Odissi Dance Festival, and Food Festival, to entertain and engage the guests. The chief minister also urged the residents of Bhubaneswar to decorate their houses and businesses with lights, similar to the Diwali celebration.
The state has also ramped up security measures for the convention, with over 2,700 police personnel and 1,200 central forces deployed for security and traffic management. The last edition of the convention was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
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