Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.
During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is an interactive ministry, dedicated to the multitude of Indian Nationals settled abroad. Established in May 2004 as the Ministry of Non-Resident Indians’ Affairs, it was renamed as the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in September 2004. Driven by a mission of development through coalitions in a world without borders, MOIA seeks to connect the Indian Diaspora community with its motherland.
Positioned as a ‘Services’ Ministry, it provides information, partnerships and facilitations for all matters related to Overseas Indians (comprising Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) .
The Ministry is headed by a Cabinet Minister. It has four functional service divisions to handle its diverse scope of services:
- Diaspora Services
- Financial Services
- Emigration Services
- Management Services
The Ministry focuses on developing networks with and amongst Overseas Indians with the intent of building partnerships with the Diaspora.
Besides dealing with all matters relating to Overseas Indians, the Ministry is engaged in several initiatives with them for the promotion of trade and investment, emigration, education, culture, health and science & technology.
The annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Program since 2003 has been organized in the following cities:
- 2003 1st Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2004 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2005 3rd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Mumbai
- 2006 4th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Hyderabad
- 2007 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2008 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2009 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Chennai
- 2010 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2011 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas New Delhi
- 2012 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Jaipur
- 2013 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Kochi
The 2013 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be held in Kochi, from 7–9 January 2013. The venue is Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital.Chief Guest of this event is the President of Mauritius, Rajkeshwar Purryag
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