‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ convention begins in Indore

Our correspondent and Agencies

INDORE,

EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the identity of a diaspora is very much derived from how closely it is connected to its roots and India’s efforts have been to encourage easier exposure to its culture and traditions.

The 17th edition of the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ convention began from Sunday under the theme ‘Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal’. More than 3,500 diaspora members from 70 countries will take part in the three-day convention, which is being organised in physical mode for the first time since 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PBD convention on Monday. Cooperative Republic of Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest and Republic of Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will be the special Guest of Honour.

The Presidents of Guyana and Suriname arrived in India to attend the 17th Pravasi Divas convention beginning in Indore on Sunday. Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is on a seven-day visit to the country, is the chief guest at India’s biggest diaspora conclave and also a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award. Suriname President

Chandrikapersad Santokhi was received by Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Water Resources Minister Tulsi Silawat and other officials upon his arrival in Indore.

Addressing the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) programme in Indore as part of the three-day PBD convention, Jaishankar said India has the largest diaspora in the world and many are most talented.

Dr. S Jaishankar said, “This is an era where we are increasingly confident about our prospects and seek to connect with the global community. We have the largest diaspora in the world, with intensity of bonding among us in the community abroad.” He further said, “I am confident youth at home and abroad will propel the growth of the nation to new heights.” “So what is perhaps unique about us is the intensity of the bonding between the community abroad and the motherland. And that is a two-way strait that is promoted particularly by activities like PBD,” he said.

Jaishankar also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the diaspora on a previous occasion where the latter had said “hamara to khoon ka rishta hai, passport ka nahi” (we have a blood relation and not that of passport).