Page 35 - NIS English February1-15

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year to
mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development
of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate the occasion as
it was on this day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South
WHAT IS Africa. He led India’s freedom struggle and changed lives of Indians

PRAVASI forever. The then-Prime Minister Shri A.B. Vajpayee started the PBD
convention in 2003, and since then it was held every year till 2015. The
BHARATIYA format was revised to celebrate the PBD once in every two years and
to hold theme-based PBD Conferences with participation from overseas
DIVAS... Diaspora experts, policy makers and stakeholders. The theme of 16th
PBD Convention 2021 was “Contributing to AatmaNirbhar Bharat”.

WHO ARE OVERSEAS INDIANS

Crore PIOs in There are a total of 3.21 Crore Overseas
1.87 the world Indians in the world. This number is greater
than the population of 190 countries

n Persons of Indian origin (PIOs) are people of Indian birth, descent or origin who live
outside India and have the citizenship of that country
n From Indra Nooyi to Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella and Kalpana Chawla, people of
Indian Diaspora have made their country proud
n United Arab Emirates (UAE) has 34.20 Lakh Indians, giving new direction to Relations
with Overseas Indians
n The Prime Minister has tried to connect with overseas Indians on every foreign tour. From
New York’s Madison Square to Sydney’s Allphones Arena, from Seychelles to Mauritius
to Shanghai, everywhere the Prime Minister was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the
Indian Diaspora
n Government's move to merge PIO and OCI was welcomed by Overseas Indians
n Visa rules are relaxed and procedures are simplified

investment for AatmaNirbhar Bharat package the identity of Brand India is equally important.”
by the Government, India is heading towards a When one uses ‘Made in India’ products, people
V-shaped economic recovery when the entire around will also have trust in them. It can be
world is in shambles fighting COVID-19. anything from tea to textile and therapy. Khadi
Amid all this, the role of Indian Diaspora is is becoming a centre of attraction in the world.
equally important in this growth story which the This will not only increase export volumes of
Prime Minister outlined in no unequivocal terms India, but will also bring India’s rich diversity to
while addressing 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas the world. This will help deliver affordable and
Convention, 2021. ‘Contributing to AatmaNirbhar quality solutions to the poorest of the world
Bharat’ as theme of PBD 2021, the Prime under the AtmaNirbhar Bharat campaign.
Minister said, “When India is moving forward to Moreover, assistance, expertise, investment
become self-reliant, your role in strengthening and global network of Indian Diaspora will help
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