The Indian Panorama

Tag: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas PBD

  • Indian Diaspora Integral to Vision of Developed India: President Murmu

    Indian Diaspora Integral to Vision of Developed India: President Murmu

    President of Trinidad & Tobago among 27 felicitated at the valedictory function

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): President Droupadi Murmu addressed the valedictory session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention on January 10, 2025, underscoring the Indian Diaspora’s pivotal role in shaping India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The event also saw the presentation of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

    In her address, President Murmu emphasized the Diaspora’s contribution to India’s global reputation in fields such as technology, medicine, arts, and entrepreneurship. She commended the awardees, stating that their achievements inspire millions worldwide and bring immense pride to India.

    Acknowledging Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, as an exemplary leader championing women and the Indian Diaspora, President Murmu praised her for setting a global benchmark.

    The President highlighted that the PBD Convention is more than an event—it serves as a platform to strengthen India’s ties with its Diaspora, foster collaborations, and exchange ideas.

    As India advances towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, President Murmu called on the global Indian community to actively participate in this national mission. She invoked the timeless philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family—encouraging the Diaspora to contribute towards economic progress, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

    Concluding her address, President Murmu expressed hope and determination for the future, urging the Indian Diaspora to join hands in building a developed India that shines on the global stage as a beacon of progress and prosperity.

    The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention celebrates the contributions of overseas Indians and aims to deepen the bond between India and its global community.
    Prabhjot Singh, a Toronto-based senior journalist reports that twenty-seven eminent members of the Indian Diaspora drawn from 24 countries, including the President of Trinidad &Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo were felicitated by President Droupadi Murmu before the curtains were rung down on the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas at Janata Maidan on Friday, January 10.

    The three-day convention that attracted more than 3000 delegates from overseas and over 7500 total participants had a series of sessions on various issues relating to youth, women, and investments and saw the engagement of global experts, including top leaders and captains of industry, trade, business, medicine, and community services.

    The last day sessions included “Diaspora Divas celebrating women’s leadership and influence – Nari Shakti”, which featured top women leaders drawn from various walks of life, and “Diaspora Dialogue: Stories of Culture, Connection, and Belongingness.”

    The session on women’s leadership was presided by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while Gajendra Singh, Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, presided over the session on Diaspora Dialogues.

    Though the focus remained on building bridges between the overseas community and India, panelists were unanimous in projecting India as a developed nation in 2047.

    The President, Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, while appreciating the role played by the overseas community in projecting a great image of the country, held that holding of the Pravasi Bharati Divas provided a much-needed platform for reaffirming the strong bondage between Diaspora and the country.

    India, she said, was being acknowledged worldwide for the progress it had made since its independence in 1947.

    The President of Trinidad and Tobago, who was the chief guest, was among the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. Those felicitated included Ravi Kumar of Odisha, who, speaking on behalf of all the awardees, applauded the efforts to bring together the overseas community with its motherland.

    Those felicitated on the occasion included: –
    Prof. Ajay Rane (Australia Community Service)

    Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria Education)

    Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados)

    Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji Community Service)

    Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana Community Service)

    Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan Science & Technology)

    Dr. Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Medical Sciences)

    Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos Business)

    Mr. Krishna Savjani (Malawi Business)

    ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia Politics)

    Dr. Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius Community Service)

    Mr. Abhaya Kumar (Moldova Business)

    Dr. Ram Niwas Hla Tun (Myanamar Education)

    Mr. Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania Business)

    Hindustani Samaj (Russia Community Service)

    Ms. Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia Education)

    Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia Medical Sciences)

    Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore Education)

    Mr. Robert Masih Nahar (Spain Community Service)

    Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania Medicine)

    Christine Carla Kangaloo (Trinidad & Tobago Public Affairs)

    Mr. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE Business)

    Mr. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda Community Service)

    Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar (UK Politics)

    Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal (USA Medicine)

    Dr. Sharmila Ford (USA Community Service), and

    Mr. Ravi Kumar S. (USA Business)

    The valedictory function was attended among others by the External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar; Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan; and the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oran.

    Santoor concert by Abhay Rustum Sapori provided the climax. The Chief Minister of Odisha also announced the extension of the exhibition on Odisha for two more days to facilitate the locals.

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 starts with a focus on youth

    “The customary conclave of our younger generation as part of the #PBD celebrations is a testimony to their vital role and significant contribution in the building of a Viksit Bharat and 🇮🇳’s global image”:  EAM

    • Prabhjot Singh
    India’s EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar on January 8, 2025

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): States that invest in their youth and stay focused on trade, technology, and tourism are bound to succeed in the present competitive world. These inferences were drawn at the preliminary session on” Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalized World” and the joint business session with the host Odisha government on Wednesday, the opening day of the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas, at a sprawling tented township at Janata Maidan.

    India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, who was the guest of honor on the inaugural day, focused on the transformative role the Indian youth could play in various key areas of development. “It is critical to invest in our youth in order to achieve their full potential,” Jaishankar said, adding that maintaining their role is important in key areas like AI and EV, innovation and start-ups, space, drones, and sports.

    More than 3000 delegates drawn from all over the world are participating in the annual three-day event dedicated to Indian Diaspora. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally declare the convention open in this historic city of temples on Thursday.

    Odisha’s government has put its best foot forward to showcase its development to the elite of the Indian Diaspora while seeking FDI in various projects, including tourism.

    “We have been overwhelmed by the reception we got on our arrival here,” says Professor Indrajit Saluja, a US delegate. All delegates were accorded a traditional welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport. Bhubaneshwar has been given a facelift, as most of the official and commercial buildings have been decked out and illuminated at night. from San Francisco was all praise for the organizers for taking delegates to various shrines, including famous Jagannath temple at Puri.

    Ravindra Jain, who has made Myanmar as his second home, also lauded the Odisha government for holding the event. “Last year, I played a role when the PBD was held in my hometown of Indore,” he said.

    “The youth have an important role to play in the present-day competitive world which is fast becoming a global village,” he said, revealing that his son, now settled in British Columbia, had the distinction of becoming President of the Kelowna University Students Association in 2019.

    Though there are not many youth delegates attending the convention, yet their growing participation in the Pravasi Bharati Divas is encouraging, says Naresh Chavda, a delegate from Canada.

    “Efforts of the Indian government to encourage youth of Indian origin to discover their roots and stay connected with the motherland of their ancestors is a welcome sign. India leads the world with its growing and empowered youth force,” he added.

    A large part of the government’s actions was to give the right motivation to the younger generation to accelerate their efforts, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said holding that “while development itself is a very complex task, it becomes much easier when we are confident that nothing is beyond us,” EAM Jaishankar remarked.

    He also highlighted an observation by badminton star PV Sindhu, on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a youth icon. “She summed it up as his attitude which moved our nation from ‘chalta hai’ to ‘badal sakta hai’ to ‘hoga kaise nahin’,” he recalled.

    India’s EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar with admiring delegates

    Jaishankar believes this is the spirit which has driven India’s achievements in recent years, from supplying vaccines and medicines to the entire world during COVID-19 to undertaking missions like the Chandrayaan landing, the Aditya L1 observatory and the proposed Gaganyaan human spaceflight endeavor.

    Ambitious visions need strong foundations to be realized, EAM Jaishankar remarked, stating, “It is critical to invest in our youth in order to achieve their full potential.” He also referred to transformational efforts of campaigns and programs like Swacch Bharat, Beti Padhao, Awas and Anna Yojana, Mudra, Swanidhi, Ayushman Bharat, and Jal Jeevan.

    “If you were to see them in their entirety, connecting those dots will give you an appreciation of how we are securing the future of our youth. They will help bring their skills and creativity to the fore, ensuring that India’s talents are fully available to the global workplace,” he stated.

    Later speaking at the Joint Business Session with the Government of Odisha on the side-lines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Jaishankar highlighted the role of the 3Ts -Trade, Technology, and Tourism – for a state like Odisha.

    Odisha has resources which need investments, connectivity, and value addition to increase Trade and leverage the state’s location, he stated. He referred to the Bali Yatra, Odisha’s historical connection with Southeast Asia. “Whether it is orthodox shipping, whether it is green shipping, whether it is power grids, whether as I say it is resources to value add on it, the potential for trade based in Odisha is enormous,” he noted.

    On Technology, he emphasized that it was increasingly associated with trusted talent. “The talent of Odisha, the fact that today you have young demography, you have a strong education backbone of the state. Today technology also offers a lot of possibilities for collaboration,” he said.

    Odisha is simply incredible in terms of what it has to offer when it comes to Tourism, EAM Jaishankar remarked, adding that tourism is the biggest employer generator and multiplier in the world. “Those who will invest in tourism in this state are actually contributing to development and inclusive growth in the state in a very powerful way,” he pointed out.

    The External Affairs Minister also highlighted the Modi Government’s commitment to Purvodaya or the Renaissance, revival and rejuvenation of the East. He pointed out that India was historically at the greatest point when the eastern parts of India were at the height of glory. In this context, EAM Jaishankar noted that one of the earliest commitments in this third term of the Modi Government was to make the practical decisions to enable the Purvodaya to happen. “A crucial fulcrum of that in many ways is the state of Odisha,” he remarked.

    Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, presided over the plenary session on “Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalized World” which was moderated by Binny Bansal, Co-founder of Flipkart.

    Y B Prabhakaran – Malaysian Politician and Member of Parliament for Batu and Member of the People’s Justice Party (PKR); Eeshaanee Shandilya – Business Analyst, HSBC Global Services; Don McLain Gill – Lecturer, Department of International Studies, De La Salle University (He specializes in Philippine foreign policy, India-Southeast Asian security relations, and maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and India-Southeast Asian relations); Revathy Pillay – IT Business Analyst and Southside Radio FM Presenter and dynamic youth ambassador and radio personality dedicated to empowering youth voices;
    Mohiuddin Mohamad Ali-Ali, vice-chairman of Galfar Engineering & contracting SAOG and president of the Oman chapter of the Indo-Gulf & Middle East chamber, Muscat; Mickela Panday – Daughter of former Prime Minister of T&T Basdeo Panday. The Political Leader of the newest political party in T&T- the Patriotic Front, launched in 2019 and a former MP were the panelists for the plenary session.

  • 3-Day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Bhubaneswar Concludes

    3-Day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Bhubaneswar Concludes

    • Over 3000 Delegates from across 70 countries attended, claim EAM Officials
    • 27 Honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
    • Participation of Indian Diaspora from Developed Countries declines
    • Youth participation Inadequate
    PM in a group photograph during the inauguration of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar, in Odisha on January 09, 2025.  (Photo/ PIB)
    • I.S. Saluja

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): The 3-day 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas concluded here on Friday, January 10th, with the President of India Droupadi Murmu presiding over the Valedictory session during which she presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to 27 distinguished persons of Indian origin.

    (Read the story on the front page)

    More than 3000 delegates drawn from around the globe participated in the biannual event held every year from January 8 to 10 to commemorate the return of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, from his stint in South Africa. The Pravasi Bharati Divas was started in 2003 and has served as a unique platform for overseas Indians to share their achievements and issues with people and governments of the country of their original domicile. 

    The 18th PBD was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Damodardass Modi on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at a specially erected hall in the sprawling Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. He was accorded a rousing reception by the large gathering of NRI’s, local politicians, guests and officials.

    (Read the story on the front page). 

    The Indian Panorama team, which included editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, senior journalist Prabhjot Singh and the on-assignment photographer Jay Mandal, covered the three-day mega event to celebrate the vibrant Indian Diaspora has filed a couple of stories which are being published below.

  • Making diaspora invest in India a challenge

    Making diaspora invest in India a challenge

    “The unresolved issue with the NRIs is that the Indian government just does not know what it can do with them. The government wants their money, no doubt, and they are indeed sending money home, which accounts for 3 per cent of India’s GDP, according to the World Bank. The BJP’s foreign policy notion that the NRIs are its soldiers abroad to spread national glory is at best a delusion. And it could become a dangerous one if Indians abroad are seen as ‘fifth columnists’. Most NRIs have no interest in Indian politics nor are they motivated to push India’s case across the world. A time has to come when Indians need not migrate to other countries for better opportunities.”

    The NRIs remittances are higher than the foreign direct investment (FDI) that India is able to attract. The NRI remittances to India were $89.4 billion in 2021 and $100 billion in 2022.

    By Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr.

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its pursuit of overzealous nationalism, has looked upon the Indian diaspora across the world as an extension of India, politically as well as culturally. During the tenure of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an attempt was made to woo overseas Indians, with the PM making it a point to interact with the Indians abroad rather than with other citizens of the host country. It was in 2002 that the first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event was held in New Delhi.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified the outreach to the NRIs by addressing rallies in Madison Square Garden (New York) and then in Sydney after his party’s historic win in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But despite the enthusiasm to cultivate the NRI constituency in the past two decades, there is uncertainty and confusion over how to tap the potential of the NRIs to strengthen India at the global level or even at home.

    The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, held in Indore from January 8 to 10, reflected the confusion. The Indian government does not seem to be keen that the Indians living abroad should come back and help in the development of the country with the knowledge and expertise they have acquired abroad. It only wants that the NRIs invest in India. But it is in many ways a non sequitur.

    Indians settled abroad, whether in the Gulf countries, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia or Singapore, have been sending money home to their families. But they have not thought that it is profitable to do business in India or invest in India. Even today, the NRIs remittances are higher than the foreign direct investment (FDI) that India is able to attract. The NRI remittances to India were $89.4 billion in 2021 and $100 billion in 2022, higher than what the Chinese and Filipino emigrants send to their home countries.

    So, at successive conventions of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the country’s leaders of the day give rhetorical messages to the few thousand delegates who attend the event. And this year seems to have been no different. PM Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Education and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan delivered homilies and the unintended ironies were there for all to see. PM Modi, in his inaugural speech on January 8, said, “In Pravasi Bhartiyas, we see myriad images of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” and “Pravasi Bhartiyas echo the voice of a powerful and capable India.”

    Pradhan said, “We all agree that once upon a time India was a ‘Vishwaguru’, not in terms of military power but in terms of intellect.” And then he turned to the government’s programme of creating a skilled network in the country. He told the NRIs that India has a skilled workforce of 500 million. Sitharaman, echoing PM Modi’s statement of how cheap India’s Mars mission was, said, “The cost of the Chandrayaan, which goes to the moon, is far less than that of a Hollywood film.” And citing a NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) report, she said Indian IT companies hired 2 lakh Americans at an average salary of $1,06,360 in 2021.

    These statements can only confuse NRIs. The government wants to woo them by telling them how good India has become since they left the country and what an attractive investment destination it is now. Surely, the NRIs would want to test the government’s claims on the ground and it will be reflected in the investment decisions they will make in the future.

    But there is also the fact that though Indians in the US are sending home more money than those in the Gulf countries, as was the case earlier, the Indian-Americans are less likely to return home and even start businesses in India. The Indians in Gulf countries will come back at some point of time because as yet there is no possibility of becoming citizens in those countries. In contrast, more Indians are getting the coveted Green Card in the US and they are more likely to become citizens there. Secondly, there are more billionaires in India than among the NRIs. Steel magnate Laxmi Narayan Mittal and metal magnate Anil Agarwal are among the exceptions. The NRIs in the US are prosperous but they are not super-rich yet. They do not have surplus capital to pump into India like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg or Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

    It is, however, true that more and more Indians in western countries are becoming part of the political mainstream of their adopted countries, and they are reaching positions of influence and power. Whether it is Indian-origin leaders such as US Vice-President Kamala Harris, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali or President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi (the last two were special guests at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event in Indore), they owe nothing to India, and there is nothing that India can do to support or strengthen them. India is not the imperial power that the Modi government would imagine itself to be.

    The unresolved issue with the NRIs is that the Indian government just does not know what it can do with them. The government wants their money, no doubt, and they are indeed sending money home, which accounts for 3 per cent of India’s GDP, according to the World Bank. The BJP’s foreign policy notion that the NRIs are its soldiers abroad to spread national glory is at best a delusion. And it could become a dangerous one if Indians abroad are seen as ‘fifth columnists’. Most NRIs have no interest in Indian politics nor are they motivated to push India’s case across the world. A time has to come when Indians need not migrate to other countries for better opportunities.

    (The author is a senior journalist)

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated annually on 9 January to mark the contribution of the non-residential Indian community towards the development of the country. According the Ministry of External Affairs, 9 January was chosen for the observance, as on this day in the year 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. He then went on to lead the country in its freedom struggle. Being celebrated since 2003, the year 2015 saw a slight change with PBD being celebrated every two years from then on. The convention allows NRIs to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.

    It is sad that the day  has lost importance over the years under the Modi government.

    This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Non-Resident Indians (NRI) across the globe are coming together to celebrate the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in a virtual format.

    The Day holds great significance as it not only reconnects NRIs with their roots but celebrates their achievements as well. It also acknowledges the difficulties faced by Indian expatriate workers living abroad.

    Established in 2000, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

    A celebratory event is held on 7-9 January every other year in an Indian city: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organised and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given.

    In 2006, the concept of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at Hyderabad on 9 January.

    In 2014, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in New Delhi and was attended by 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. President Pranab Mukherjee gave the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

    In 2013, 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Kochi from 7-9 January, where the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is organizing partner of the summit. The President of Mauritius, Rajkeswur Purryag, was the chief guest at the official inaugural session. Canadian Minister Jason Kenney became the first individual of non-Indian heritage to address the gathering.

    The 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Theme for this year was Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations.

    The 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2015 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat . The Theme for this year was “Apna Bharat, Apna Gaurav”.

    The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which was supposed to be held during 7-9 January 2016 at New Delhi, was cancelled under the MEA’s decision to make the event biennial.

    The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2017 at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The theme for this year was “Redefining engagement with the Indian diaspora”.

    The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2018 was held during 6-7 January 2018 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

    The 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 was held during 21-23 January 2019 at Varanasi, India. Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth was the chief guest.

    History

    The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken in accordance with recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on the Indian Diaspora set up by government of India under the chairmanship of L. M. Singhvi. The then Prime Minister of India,  Atal Bihari Vajpayee, received the report of the Committee at a public function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 8 January 2002, and announced the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) on 9 January 2002. The day was chosen to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.

    The occasion is marked by special programs to recognise the contributions of NRI/PIO individuals of exceptional merit, felicitate NRI/PIO individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their chosen field/profession (Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and provide a forum to discuss issues and concerns of people of the diaspora. The event has been organized every year since 2003, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), initially sponsored by FICCI.

    The 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas took place on 7-9 January 2010 and was webcast live at the official Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs website, also covered live on social media via live blogging and live tweeting at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an online platform powered by Kotak Mahindra Bank. An investment facilitation platform for overseas Indians, the Overseas Indians Facilitation Centre, was launched by India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, with a view of strengthening ties with the diaspora for partnering in India’s growth story on the occasion.

    The 2012 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held from 7-9 January 2012. The venue was Jaipur, Rajasthan. Chief Guest of this event was the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

    The 2013 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held from 8-9 January 2013 in Kochi, Kerala. Chief Guest of this event was the President of Mauritius, Rajkeshwar Purryag. The 2015 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Ahmedabad celebrating 100 years of Mahatma’s return to India. Chief guest was Mr Donald Ramtar, President of Republic of Guyana. The theme for this was “Apna Bharat Apna Gaurav” “Connecting Generations”.

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the annual event for the Indian diaspora, was canceled for 2016. The format of the event, which is held between 7 and 9 January, has been changed as announced by the minister of external affairs and overseas Indian affairs Sushma Swaraj, in October 2015. As per the announcement, the event was being moved to different states every two years; a smaller event would be held in Delhi every alternate year.

    In 2017, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held from 7-9 January 2017 in Bengaluru. The theme of this edition was “Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora”. The Ministry of External Affairs, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had used digital modes to reach out to Indians abroad. The campaign Digital India also played a major role in bringing the success to Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. The plenary session ‘Leveraging Social Media for Diaspora Connect’ held on 9 January 2017, at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas looked at social media as a medium in connecting the Indian Diaspora.

    About PBD Convention 2021

    In a virtual format, the convention will be held and the theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021 is “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. The Convention of PBD will have three segments and will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. It will also be addressed by the Chief Guest, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname. Winners of the online Bharat ko Janiye Quiz for the youth will be announced.

    The inaugural session will also be followed by the two Plenary sessions. The first will be on the Role of Diaspora Aatmanirbhar Bharat and will be featured by the External Affairs Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister. And the second will be on Facing Post Covid Challenges – Scenario in Health, Economy, Social and International Relations that will be addressed by Minister of Health and Minister of State for External Affairs.

    The Valedictory Session will be the finale where the President will deliver his Valedictory address to mark the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

    Here to inform you that the Youth PBD was also be observed virtually on the theme “Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora” on 8 January 2021 and was anchored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Special Guest for the event is Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community& Voluntary Sector of New Zealand.

    In January 2019, it was celebrated at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to acknowledge the Indian Diaspora of Indian origin to share their experience, knowledge which can help in the development of the country.

  • GOPIO Organizes 1st Ever Webinar Session “India’s Outreach to the Diaspora – Youth Perspective”

    GOPIO Organizes 1st Ever Webinar Session “India’s Outreach to the Diaspora – Youth Perspective”

    Top: Amb. Anup Mudgal and Dr. Thomas Abraham; Bottom Dr. Beena Ramachandran.
    Ambassador Anup Mudgal and GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham with selected youth presenters. Top row: from l. to r. Amb. Anup Mudgal, Dr. Abraham. Akshat Gupta; Middle row: from l. to r. Anjo Therattil, Abhi Parikh, Ananya Kotiyan; Bottom row, from l. to r. Vedant Gannu, Nithya Shenoy and Alicia Kaur

    STAMFORD, CT (TIP): As the youth-led initiatives and their success stories around the world have shown, collective action from young people is already changing things for the better. Young people are the HOPE for the future as they are creative and fill of energy. Identifying youth leaders and supporting them in their efforts to be the leaders who could be a critical link between the government of India and the immigrant youth who are spread around the world. With the objective of providing a youth forum that will provide a platform for the Diaspora youth to help amplifying youth actions that will help create change in approach and programs by the Government of India, GOPIO International organized a virtual session on “India’s Outreach to Diaspora-Youth Perspective” on Sunday, March 7th, 2021. Attended by youth and senior leaders of the Diaspora from around the world, the event provided the participants a rare view into the youth and their perspectives on how the Diaspora youth power can be utilized creatively for the benefit of India and the world.

    In his introductory remarks, after clarifying the role and the growth of GOPIO International, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the GOPIO International pointed out that, “India has the largest Diaspora in the world and it is still growing. Currently, the Indian Diaspora has a strength of over 32 million people.” Referring to the numerous initiatives that the Government of India (GOI) has taken with the objective of reaching out to the Diaspora, Dr. Thomas Abraham pointed out to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in India since 2013, which showcases to the fact that “India has great interest to reach out and cultivate its Diaspora youth. It has several programs for the Diaspora youth and exploring more avenues to outreach.”

     In this context, Dr. Abraham said, GOPIO International is organizing a virtual Zoom session for Indian Diaspora Youth who are High School/College/University students as well as young professionals up to the age 25 on “India’s Outreach to the Diaspora – Youth Perspective,” with participants from different countries. “Today’s event is one such event to encourage the youth of Indian origin to aspire to be youth leaders and to help network youth from around the world with the Youth in every GOPIO Chapter around the world.

     Ambassador Anup Mudgal, special guest at the event, had served as India’s former Ambassador to Mauritius and Chair, Diaspora Research and Resource Centre, ARSP, New Delhi. In his inspiring address, Ambassador Mudgal pointed out that Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (ARSP) has been in existence for over forty years as independent NGO. The objectives of the ARSP, according to Mudgal, are “to take the initiative with the Indian Diaspora to the next level: 1. Outreach to Diaspora; 2. Engage the youth of Indian origin; 3. Help the Diaspora in research and publication; 4. Expanding of Diaspora organizations around the world and in India.

    According to Ambassador Mudgal, “Youth Diaspora is a main pillar of ARSP.” Emphasizing that the ideas and actions must be derived from the Diaspora, he pointed out that several of them have been accepted by the Govt.”  Stating that the Indian Diaspora is one of the most successful in every domain, Ambassador Mudgal said, “You have done very well. You also enjoy tremendous goodwill among the host nations. Diaspora plays an important tool of power as each of you is the Ambassador of India.”

    Suggesting that the “Engagement with the youth will be a regular phenomenon from now on,” he urged that the youth need to carry forward the flag to the upcoming generations. He asked the youth to reflect and find answers: “What makes the Indian Dispora stand out? What are the characteristics that make us successful? What are the changes we need to make to shine more? While your Indianness will always be with you, you need to understand how that helps shape your personality.”

    The plan as per Ambassador Mudgal is that the Government of India will organize annual International conferences with representatives from 15 nations, during which the delegates will explore on the kind of relationship, engagement they expect from the Government of India. “This dialogue will continue for centuries to come,” he assured the participants. The lively session attended by talented youth from the US and Europe was moderated by Dr. Beena Ramachandran of GOPIO CT. She said, two youth from the participants today will be chosen by a panel of Judges: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Beena Ramachandran, Anita Bhatt, Navin Pathak, Naumi Kaur. These two youth will attend a Zoom session on the same topic to be held in April this year, she said.

    Ananya Kotian, a Junior in high school aspiring to pursue an education in psychology, and is passionate about dance and singing, in her presentation pointed to how the media helps us to stay connected with India. Stating that how staying in touch with documentary makers, who creatively showcase the issues facing the people of India, Ananaya Kotian advocated for virtual cultural experiences. Founder of the blog Cultural Kaleidoscope, which delves into Asian culture from a young American Indian’s perspective, while pointing to the fact that many Diaspora leaders have been appointed to bigger roles in Biden administration, a tutor and STEM mentor for the Boys&Girls club, Kotian said, “We are successful because of the values we have inherited from our country of origin, India.”

    Anjo George, a junior who is well-rounded in academic fields, music, swimming, and technology, and has been passionate about helping other students to improve their academics, highlighted the history of hosting Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, celebrating Diaspora’s contributions to India and help stay connected with India. While referring to the Know India Program by the Government of India, George said, “It helps us learn and promote Indian culture, while enabling us share our views and bond closely with India, and help reflect a positive image about India.”  George suggested: 1. Cultural exchange at school levels; 2. Establish youth ambassadors with delegates from each country to discuss issues and propose solutions, modeling Model Congress/Model Youth; 3. Organize regular competitions on social issues faced by India; 4. Exploring and increasing study abroad programs and internships, this helping build leadership, culture and help make a global community of Indians.

    Viswaa Sofat, a freshman at U.C. Berkeley studying Computer Science and Political Science, shared with the audience his experiences as someone who was both born and partially raised in India, and how he tries to remain strong and fundamental to his identity as a person of Indian origin. He hopes to use this opportunity to learn from other like-minded individuals and further involve Indian youth abroad. Vishwas Sofat said, he had immigrated to US at the age of 2. Later on, he returned to India, lived in India, modeling Israel how they attract youth to come to Israel. “Growing up in India helped me understand and appreciate the values, traditions, art and culture,” he said and added, “India is at a critical juncture today with youth stepping up and joining protest movements in India.”

    He suggested for the Diaspora youth to be able to connect with Universities in India and get diverse perspectives through structured programs organized for them with easy access to obtain visa.

    Nithya Shenoy, a freshman at Rice University in Houston, Texas, plans to double major in political science and neuroscience. Is a part of Rice’s student-run paper, Thresher, and enjoys writing political pieces, reading, playing the violin, and Model UN. She shared about Israel’s Diaspora Outreach, “which helps develop collective identities, creates a sense of oneness,” she said.  Referring to the African Nations Diaspora initoavesatives, she suggested to the need for grass root level outreach. Her recommendations included: 1. Scholarships through competitions with tourism component and education, which will help youth to become more connected. 2. Organize penthouse programs, connecting with youth in other nations, and thus help understand how they perceive India. 3. Exposure through NGOs gives the youth an opening to understand and appreciate India better.

    Vedant Gannu is a senior studying Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Data Engineer Co-op at Ellington Management Group. A youth member of GOPIO CT for years, he served on the GOPIO Youth Committee, helped organize events such as Indian Independence Day celebration and the annual Youth Networking event in Stamford. As a proud Indian and ambitious student, he is interested in helping the Diaspora Youth as they are integral members of the Indian community that will serve as role models for future generations. In his address, Gannu said, Education is the key to job opportunities. His suggestions included: 1. Mentorship and exchange programs will provide a combination of global with local perspectives; 2. Infrastructure planning for better structural models; 3. Indian Government agencies need to offer internships and hire the youth who can share global perspectives to local problems/issues; 4. Scholarships in less popular areas of study.

    Alicia Kaur, a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Legal Studies, said, her dream is to one day become a lawyer and fight for racial justice and a more inclusive society. Coming from one of the most diverse universities in the United States and being a minority herself, she believes her personal experiences are what drive her towards this goal. A winner of the Women in Leadership Award from Ernst and Young, pointed out how, the Indian Diaspora has become the “most successful community in the US, as shining examples with many influential organizations has the highest per capita income, most educated, and holding influential positions around the nation, especially with dozens of Indian Americans appointed to top positions in Biden administration.  Her suggestions included the need for a new NRI policy; partnership with tech/research sectors; student exchange programs; and collaboration in healthcare.

    Abhi Parikh, currently living in Paris, and originally from Ahmedabad, India, said, she is involved in 2 start-ups, one is in the education sector and another in the food sector, and is immensely passionate about her work. Apart from that, she has started a few Indian communities on Facebook, just to gather Indian people on a common platform, she said. While suggesting that the youth have huge potential., she urged the government to tap this force through encouraging steps. She shared with the participants about how developing social media platforms help youth establish startups by youth. Focusing on entrepreneurial migration, she said, they help give access to information; access to network and sharing; access to business through exchange programs.

    Akshat Gupta, a young professional in the field of Medical Technology, based in Munich, Germany, had moved out of India more than a decade ago in the pursuit of newer academic and career opportunities, and has had the good fortune of having worked and lived in multiple cultures. Stating that his leisurely activities include astronomy, skydiving, and going off the grid once in a while, Gupta praised the ever-changing dynamic of Indian diaspora, and suggested that the outreach programs by the Government of India needs to adapt and change according to the need and times. Connecting with various subcultures and diversification of missing links and helping them connect with the expats. Stressing that the Indian Missions around the world need to play a more active role in the life of Diaspora, Gupta said, he appreciates the new initiatives and would look forward to how the Government is able to listen to the perspectives of the youth and how these suggestions are being heard and acted upon.

    In his concluding remarks, Dr. Abraham promised that “After the session, all ideas will be pooled to make recommendations which two of the youth from the session will speak at a Webinar organized by ARSP from Delhi in April 2021.”

    GOPIO is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, secular organization with Individual Life Members and over 100 chapters in 35 countries. GOPIO’s volunteers are committed to enhancing cooperation and communication between NRIs/PIOs and the local communities, building networks, bonds, friendships, alliances, and the camaraderie of citizens and colleagues alike.  GOPIO volunteers believe that when they help network the global Indian community, they facilitate making tomorrow a better world for the Indian Diaspora and the countries they live in.

  • Raveena barred from promoting her film ‘Maatr’?

    Raveena barred from promoting her film ‘Maatr’?

    Raveena Tandon has been requested by Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) not to promote her upcoming film ‘Maatr’, as the film’s producer Anjum Rizvi is yet to get his dues for a past project – the remake of Sai Paranjpye’s ‘Katha’.

    The 2016 film starred Manish Paul, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Sharmila Mandre and was directed by Khalid Mohamed.

    Joint secretary of CINTAA Amit Behl had said that previously, a non-cooperation notice had been issued by CINTAA against Anjum, who had then promised to clear off the dues as soon as his next film kicked off.

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas closes; engagement extremely substantive, says government

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas closes; engagement extremely substantive, says government

    BENGALURU (TIP): The three-day 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a mega meet of the Indian disapora which saw its largest convergence, came to an end in the IT city on Monday, January 9, with the government saying the PBD engagement was “extremely substantive” and outcome oriented.

    “This year we have had a very large gathering, we have had more than 7200 people who registered, we have had more than 2000 people who came from abroad”, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh told reporters.

    “The general impression that we get after talking to people is that this time we were able to attract much larger crowd whether they were at the sessions or at the exhibition area,” he said.

    Pointing out that for the first time all the space for the exhibition was sold out, he said, “I’m quite sure with this as the marker we will have to work very hard for the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2019.

    PBD is held with an aim to provide a platform to overseas Indians to engage with the government on issues of concern to the diaspora and to explore opportunities for investment in India and contribution to the country of their origin.

    The event, launched by the Vajpayee government in 2003, also provides an opportunity to the overseas Indians to network with other overseas Indians residing in various parts of the world. It continued as an annual event till 2015 when the government decided to make it biennial.

    Singh said the format was changed so that in the intervening year, issues concerning pravasis could be addressed in great detail to ensure better results.

    As per this, ten different issues were discussed last year by panels that had pravasis as well as Indian experts and recommendations were made.

    “In this event, we have presented the recommendations and asked more suggestions so that we finalize the recommendations and convert them into executables …”

    Calling it a great initiative, Singh said action taken report on all the other recommendations had been made.

    Speaking on behalf of the Karnataka government, partner state for PBD 2017, Industries Minister RV Deshpande said Karnataka also takes pride that it had hosted the largest ever PBD since inception and thanked union government for providing the opportunity to project the state as a destination for investment and a hub for innovation and science.

    Singh said most of the problems that were raised during the PBD were from Gulf countries and Malaysia, because there is a large labor force there.

    “Our aim has been to find a solution to the issue, most of them were of generic nature and those that can be solved by discussion with their ambassador,” he said.

    “Take away (from this event), in the coming years a greater emphasis will be given on ensuring that government schemes, programs outreach programs of the MEA goes out in a bigger manner to all the countries,” Singh said.

    Stating that PBD engagement has been extremely substantive, outcome oriented, with wide ranging issues been discussed, Secretary- MEA (OIA and CPV) Dnyaneshwar Mulay said it was a different format altogether and people were extremely positive about the format.

    He said “attendance was extremely good, the economic engagement has been one of the important aspects of this PBD …; economic engagements whether it is startups, innovation, human resource development all these aspects were discussed.”

    To a question that out of 7,200 people who registered, only 2000 people had come from abroad, Singh said it was wrong to perceive it that way as many pravasis who had already come for holidaying attended the event along with their families.

    On the commemorative for the event like the stamp that was released last year, Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said this year a select compilation of Prime Minister’s speeches on foreign policy issues in 2014-15 had been made, the forward for which has been written by President Pranab Mukherjee.

    On investments that government expects after the PBD, Singh said the event itself was not to attract investment, but to facilitate and showcase opportunity for investment.

    Endorsing Singh, Deshpande said PBD was to understand the grievances of pravasis and to know about the steps taken by the government, “not that on itself it garners investments, but it provides an opportunity to market state like ours.” (Source PTI)

  • Indian Consulate in New York celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Indian Consulate in New York celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Consulate General of India, New York in association with AIA (Association of Indian Americans) celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 (PBD 2017) at its premises on Saturday 8, January 2017. A large number of people including Ms. Letitia James, Public Advocate for New York and prominent leaders of the Indian American Community attended the event. Ms Suhma Kaushik, poet recited a poem from ‘Radhika’ by Dr. Om Prakash Gaur, Pravasi, her father.

    Welcoming the participants, Consul General Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das mentioned about the highlights of PBD and said Indians residing in US have increased in numbers to about 3.8 million and have been contributing richly to the USA, representing the best of Indian culture, ethos and values.

    A short film on PBD as well as the speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on PBD Conference, Bengaluru was shown to the audience. In her remarks, Public Advocate Ms. Letitia James spoke of the enormous contribution of the Indian American community to US. There was a lively interactive session at which young people participated actively. Several new suggestions to increase interaction between the community and the Consulate were also made. A large number of members of media were also present.

  • Six Indian Americans honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

    Six Indian Americans honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

    BENGALURU (TIP): Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State, Department of State, community activist Dr. Sampatkumar Shivangi; community activist Ramesh Shah, environmental engineer Hari Babu Bindal, philanthropist and organizer of Modi’s historic Madison Square Garden event in 2014, Dr. Bharat Barai; and the founder and former president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Dr. Mahesh Mehta are the six Indian Americans who received 2017 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA) from President Pranab Mukherjee on January 9 at Bengaluru.

    Dr. Sampat S. Shivangi is a renowned Indian American leader. A street in Mississippi is named after him in recognition of his contributions to the progress and welfare of the community. He was the first Indian American to be appointed for the top health post, the Chairman of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, in 2014. Dr. Sampat Shivangi was the advisor to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services in the presidential regime of George W. Bush. He is the founder and president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian-origin in Mississippi. The CEO of US Info Systems of Mississippi, he is one of the trustworthy confidantes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    One of the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, India-born and Chicago-based Dr. Bharat Barai is the director of oncology department at Methodist Hospitals in Indiana. He got a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest serving member of a State Medical Licensing Board in the US. He is a community activist and philanthropist too. He treats uninsured, disadvantaged patients and works to reduce medical expenses for them. Known for his unconditional community services, personal integrity and professional excellence, Dr. Bharat Barai is also in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coterie of close associates.

    Another Indian American awardee of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Dr. Mahesh Mehta is the founder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America. He also founded the Hindu Heritage Foundation of America, Friends of India Society International, India Quality Group and several other organizations. He has many widely published articles on socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-political aspects to his fame. ‘Hindu Philosophy in Action’ is the latest from Dr. Mahesh Mehta’s repertoire of books and journals. Dr. Mehta is a cofounder and director of Hindu University of America in Orlando, Florida.

    Nisha Desai Biswal is an Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs among the six Indian American recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2017. She helms the United States’ foreign policies and external affairs in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and other countries in central Asia. Under her distinguished leadership, the US Department of State ensures and enhances human security and national security in south and central Asian nations. Based in Washington DC, Nisha Desai Biswal leads the US’ bilateral consultations with Central and South Asia to deepen ties with those Asian nations.

    The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the President of India as a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions organized annually since 2003 on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or an organization or institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

    The 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was held in Bengaluru from 7-9 January, 2017. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards were conferred by the Hon’ble President at the PBD Convention on 9 January, 2017 in the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations in an impressive ceremony.

    A 11-member Jury-cum-Awards Committee, with Hon’ble Vice-President as Chairman and Hon’ble External Affairs as Vice-Chairman and nine other distinguished members from various walks of life, considered the nominations for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, 2017 and had unanimously thirty nominees.

    President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman on Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State. Seen in the picture, from L to R: General VK Singh, Minister of State for External affairs, President Pranab Mukherjee, Nisha Desai Biswal with her honor scroll and Luiss Da Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal who was also conferred the honor. Photo/Jay Mandal on assignment
    President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman on Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State. Seen in the picture, from L to R: General VK Singh, Minister of State for External affairs, President Pranab Mukherjee, Nisha Desai Biswal with her honor scroll and Luiss Da Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal who was also conferred the honor. Photo/Jay Mandal on assignment

    Nisha Desai Biswal delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the awardees.

    The list of thirty awardees is as follows:

    1. Gorur Krishna Harinath Australia Community Service
    2. Rajasekharan Pillai Valavoor Kizhakkathil Bahrain Business
    3. Antwerp Indian Association Belgium Community Service
    4. Nazeer Ahamed Mohamed Zackiriah Brunei Community Service
    5. Mukund Bhikhubhai Purohit Canada Business
    6. Nalinkumar Sumanlal Kothari Djibouti Community Service
    7. Vinod Chandra Patel Fiji Social Service
    8. Raghunath Marie Antonin Manet France Arts & Culture
    9. Lael Anson E. Best Israel Medical Science
    10. Sandip Kumar Tagore Japan      Arts & Culture
    11. Ariful Islam Libya Community Service
    12. Tan Sri Dato Dr. Muniandy Thambirajah Malaysia Education and Community Service
    13. Hon’ble Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Mauritius Public Service
    14. 14 H.E. Mr. Antonio Luis Santos da Costa Portugal Public Service
    15. Raghavan Seetharaman Qatar Business Management
    16. Zeenat Musarrat Jafri Saudi Arabia Education
    17. Singapore Indian Association Singapore Community Service
    18. Carani Balaraman Sanjeevi Sweden Medicine
    19. Susheel Kumar Saraff Thailand Business
    20. Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran Trinidad & Tobago Public Service
    21. Vasudev Shamdas Shroff United Arab Emirates Community Service
    22. India Social and Cultural Centre, AbuDhabi United Arab Emirates Philanthropy and Community Service
    23. Hon’ble Priti Patel United Kingdom Public Service
    24. Neena Gill United Kingdom       Public Service Service
    25. Hari Babu Bindal USA Environmental Engineering
    26. Bharat Haridas Barai USA Community Service
    27. Nisha Desai Biswal USA Public Affairs
    28. Mahesh Mehta USA Community Service
    29. Ramesh Shah USA Community Service
    30. Sampatkumar Shidramapa Shivangi USA Community Leadership.

     

  • PBD 2017 Concludes on a note of greater engagement between the government of India and the Diaspora

    PBD 2017 Concludes on a note of greater engagement between the government of India and the Diaspora

    ‘Indians abroad are ambassadors of our culture’: President Mujherjee

    BENGALURU (TIP): The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention came to an end on Monday, January 9, with the President Pranab Mukerjee delivering valedictory address and conferring Pravasi Bharatiya Samman on 30 NRI’s which included the Chief Guest at the PBD, Prime Minister of Portugal Luiss Santos DaCosta, who has his roots in Goa, and Nisha Desai Biswal, US Asstt Secretary of State, On the occasion, President also released a Book of Prime Ministers speeches abroad.

    President Pranab Mukherjee praised the Centre’s efforts of extracting thousands of Indians from difficult situations across the globe during Bengaluru’s Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan, says overseas Indians are ambassadors of the country’s culture abroad.

    Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from the US led the list of 30 persons conferred the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman awards by President Pranab Mukherjee.

    The first award was received by Portugal Prime Minister Antonia Luiss Santos Da Costa for his contribution in the field of public service.

    As per the list, six awards were given to NRIs from the US, the highest in the list, while two each to those from the UK and UAE.

    One award each was given to NRIs from 20 countries, including Australia, France, Canada, Israel, Libya, Fiji, Brunei, Singapore, Portugal and others.

    Among the NRIs from the US, Hari Babu Bindal was honored for his contribution in the field of environment engineering, Nisha Desai Biswal for public affairs, Sampat Kumar Shidramapa Shivanagi for community leadership, while Mahesh Mehta, Ramesh Shah and Bharat Haridas Barai were awarded for their contribution in the field of community service. Neena Gill and Priti Patel from the UK were honored for their contribution in the field of public service.

    In the list of NRIs from the UAE, Vasudev Shamdas Shroff and one organization Indian Social and Cultural Centre were awarded.

    In the field of business, Rajasekharan Pillai Valavoor Kizhakkathi from Bahrain, Mukund Bhikhubhai from Canada and Susheel Kumar Saraff from Thailand were honored.

    In the field of medical science, Lael Anson E Best from Israel and Carani Balaraman Sanjeevi were selected.

    Sandip Kumar Tagore from Japan was awarded for his contribution in the field of arts and culture, while Muniandy Thambirajah from Malaysia and Zeenat Musarrat Jafri from Saudi Arabia were honored for education and community service. In the field of public service, Pravin Kumar Jugnauth from Mauritius and Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran from Trinidad were honored. Vinod Chandra Patel from Fiji was selected for his contribution in the field of social service.

    The theme of this year’s PBD is “Redefining engagement with Indian diaspora”. A record 8,000 delegates from 30 countries participated in the three-day event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Indian diaspora across the world as he addressed people at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2017 in Bengaluru on Sunday.

    He added that Indian diaspora has made invaluable contribution to our economy and the government aims to change brain drain to brain gain through its policies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the persons of Indian origin for their support to government’s initiative against black money and corruption.

  • Welcome to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 at Bengaluru

    Welcome to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 at Bengaluru

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 at BengaluruTHE CONVENTION WILL FOCUS ON DIASPORA ACHIEVEMENTS

     

    TIP Correspondent BENGALURU: The curtains are ready to be raised on the 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being held at Bengaluru from January 7 to 9, 2017.

    President of India Pranab Mukherjee will present Pravasi Samman awards on January 9.
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PBD 2017 on January 8.
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PBD 2017 on January 8.

    The Mahakumbh of the NRIs, expected to be attended by over 3000 delegates from across the world, will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 8.

    President Pranab Mukherjee will present the awards on the last day, January 9, the day Mahatma Gandhi had returned from South Africa to India in 2015.

    Dr. António Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal will be the Chief Guest
    Dr. António Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal will be the Chief Guest

    Dr. António Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal will be the Chief Guest at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. He will participate in the inaugural session of the PBD Convention on 8 January and address the delegates.

    Mr. Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, Vice President of the Republic of Suriname will be the Special Guest at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
    Mr. Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, Vice President of the Republic of Suriname will be the Special Guest at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Mr. Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, Vice President of the Republic of Suriname will be the Special Guest at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held on 7 January. He will address the young overseas Indian delegates at the inaugural session of the Youth PBD, along with Minister of External Affairs Smt Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel.

    Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a platform to connect with the youth, the new generation of Pravasis growing up all over the world, confident, aspirational and transcending the old boundaries of caste and class. The government is keen to enable young Diaspora to know more about their roots and the place from where their fathers or forefathers originated. They can discover many features of India, its tradition, rich art and culture and many facets of contemporary India.

    The Government has put in place many schemes and programs to connect with the young Diaspora.

    The Bengaluru event will be the first full-fledged festival of diaspora Indians under a new format adopted by the government last year.The annual convention of Non Resident Indians will focus on what the Indian origin NRIs and PIOs achieved in the last few years, culminating with award of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to distinguished NRI achievers.

    Dhyaneshwar Mulay, Secretary, Overseas Indian Affairs, said, “Highlight of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 is social innovations by Indians, 20 social innovations will be highlighted and there will also be a contest of innovators and the winner will get an award of Rs.1 lakh.”

    Mr. Mulay said all sessions will be held in plenary format to allow more interaction with delegates from overseas to convey their suggestions to the government directly. “The sessions will focus on immigration and the role of diaspora organizations,” he said.

    The theme this year is ‘Redefining engagement with Indian diaspora’ and the event exhibition would showcase the achievements of the government in various sectors, and the delegates can also explore business opportunities in India and connect with government officials, business owners and entrepreneurs.

    The stated objectives of PBD 2017.

    • PBD 2017 will focus on the theme “Redefining the engagement with the Indian Diaspora”.
    • To strengthen Diaspora engagement and provide a platform for networking with the Diaspora.
    • To recognize the Diaspora’s contribution to India and know their expectations and concerns.
    • To deepen engagement with young Diasporas, to help them know more about their roots.

     

    For more information on PBD 2017, please visit www.pbdindia.gov.in

  • The Expanding Horizons of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas over the Years

    The Expanding Horizons of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas over the Years

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9 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 honored 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 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held from 7 to 9 January, 2017 at Bengaluru in Karnataka. The theme of 2017 PBD is “Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora”. It will see close to 3000 Non-Residential Indians (NRI) and PIO delegates from across the world.

    PBD was not the same in the initial years compared to what it is today. Over the years it has changed in better directions with new initiatives and ideas. It became more focused on achieving its goal to engage the diaspora in much productive ways. The first three PBDs had no tag line. The fourth edition in Hyderabad for the first time came with a tag line – : Coming Together, Working Together.
    The interactions with the community also increased with more interactive plenary and working sessions. Specific sectors were targeted for investment opportunities. All these initiatives successfully created a true ‘Local platform for Global Indians.’

     

    Here is a look at the previous Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations:

    Year 2003: The first PBD was held in New Delhi.

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were

    ‘India and the Diaspora – Forging a Constructive Relationship’

    Science and Technology in India – Networking for Excellence’

    The Global Business Matrix and the Indian Diaspora

    Prominent Speakers included – Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Dr. L. M. Singhvi, Rajya Sabha MP and Chairman, Organizing Committee of PBD, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister.

    Year 2004: The second PBD was also held in New Delhi. The topics of the main plenary sessions were

    India and the Pravasi Bharatiyas: Policies for Productive Engagement

     

    Diaspora Youth and India: Blueprint for Engagement

     

    Globalization, Indian Economy and the Diaspora

     

    India and the Diaspora: Vision 2020

    Education Synergies between India and the Diaspora

     

    Prominent Speakers included – Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister, Arun Jaitley, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Industrialist Mukesh Ambani

    Year 2005: The third PBD was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The topics of the main plenary sessions were

    India: A hub for Globalization

     

    New Initiatives for the Diaspora

     

    Disaster Management and Rehabilitation

     

    India and generation Next

    Prominent Speakers included – P Chidambaram, Minister of Finance, Raghuram Rajan, Economic Counsellor and Director Research Dept, IMF, Industrialist Ratan Tata

    Year 2006: The fourth PBD was held in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

    Theme: Coming Together, Working Together

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were

    Defining a Diaspora Agenda

     

    India: The Knowledge Powerhouse

     

    Diaspora collaboration in Healthcare

    Remittance services

    This was the first time that an Interactive Plenary session with all state was held.

    Prominent Speakers included – P Chidambaram, Minister of Finance, Oscar Fernandes, MOS (IC), Dr. Mohanbir Sawhney Professor of Marketing, Kellogg School, USA

    Year 2007: The fifth PBD was held in New Delhi.

    Theme: Rooting for the Roots

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    Challenges of development in the Global context

    Developmental Challenges of the States: Partnership Opportunities

     

    How to get US $1.5 trillion of capital investment: The resource hurdle for development

     

    Leveraging Technology for Development

     

    Planning for development – How to include the Indian Diaspora

     

    There were many working sessions as well including one on ‘GOPIO: Engaging PIOs in India’s Development.’

     

    Prominent Speakers included Kamal Nath, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Knowledge Commission, Asook Ramsara, Secretary General, GOPIO

     

    Year 2008: The sixth PBD was again held in New Delhi.

    Theme: Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    Social Development Challenges in India – Health and Education

     

    Investment and Infrastructure

     

    Trade & Business Opportunities

     

    Developmental Challenges of the States: Partnership Opportunities

     

    Diaspora Philanthropy: Empowerment of Rural Women

     

    Couple of Concurrent sessions was also held.

     

    Prominent Speakers included Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Lord Karan Billimoria

     

    Year 2009: The seventh PBD was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

    Theme: Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    India as an Emerging Power: The Diaspora Factor

     

    Reflections on Current Economic Crisis: Diaspora Concerns

     

    Indian Diaspora: Preservation of Language and Culture

     

    The number of Regional working sessions increased to seven.

    Prominent Speakers included Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, Ashwin Patel Chairman, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Thomas Abraham Chairman, GOPIO International

    Year 2010: The 8th PBD was held in New Delhi.

    Theme: Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    Interaction with Union Ministers: Diaspora – Role and Expectation

     

    Interaction with PIO Ministers and Dignitaries: Diaspora – Interest and Concerns

     

    Session with Chief Ministers: Skills Development

     

    Prominent Speakers included Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Finance, Renu Khator Chancellor and UH President, University of Houston, Prof Jagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University

    Year 2011: The 9th PBD was held in New Delhi again.

    Theme: Engaging the Global Indian

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    Engaging Young Overseas Indians

    Opportunity India: Interaction with Union Ministers

    Investment opportunities in the North Eastern Region

    Interaction with Chief Ministers on Inclusive Growth

    Prominent Speakers included Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, USA based filmmaker Mira Nair, Ruby Dhalla Member of Parliament, Canada

    Year 2012: The 10th PBD was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

    Theme: Global Indian – Inclusive Growth

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    Inclusive Growth: Two Decades of Economic Liberalization

     

    Business Session: Partnering for Prosperity

     

    Global Indian: State initiatives and Opportunities

     

    Prominent Speakers included Preeta Bansal Noted Attorney and Former Senior Obama Administration Official, Dr Thomas Abraham Founder, GOPIO, Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP

     

    Year 2013: The 11th PBD was held in Kochi, Kerala.

    Theme: Engaging Diaspora – The Indian Growth Story

    The topics of the main plenary sessions were:

    India’s Growth: Greater Opportunities

     

    Heritage and Diaspora

    Engaging Young Overseas Indians

     

    Prominent Speakers included Hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, Naval Bajaj President, Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce

    Year 2014: The 12th PBD was held in New Delhi.

    Theme: Engaging Diaspora – Connecting across Generations

    Year 2015: The 13th PBD was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

    Theme: Apna Bharat Apna Gaurav: Connecting Across Generations

    South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane attended that year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, commemoration to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa 100 years ago. The chief guest of the 13th PBD was Guyana President Donald Ramota.

    In 2015, The External Affairs Ministry decided to revise and re-energize the format of the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. Accordingly, it was decided that the PBD Convention will be held bi-annually and that, in the intervening year, smaller, outcome-based PBD conferences will be organized in New Delhi on issues of concern to the Indian Diaspora and the Government. The 14th PBD was held in New Delhi 7-9 January, 2016.

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017: Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017: Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora

    “I personally extend my warm greetings to you. Please do come. This day is being celebrated in your honor. This day is dedicated to overseas Indians who, through heroic achievements, have made a mark in the world. We also dedicate this day to all overseas Indians who through their hard work have kept India’s flag flying high”. Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister.

    • Register online for participating in the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention
    • Last Date for Registration: 22 December, 2016.
    • Special Discounts in Registration Fees for Young Delegates and Group Registrations

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9 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 honored 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 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held from 7 to 9 January, 2017 at Bengaluru in Karnataka.The theme of 2017 PBD is “Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora”. It will see close to 3000 Non-Residential Indians (NRI) and PIO delegates from across the world.

    The PBD Convention features Plenary Sessions; an Exhibition; Cultural programs and provides an opportunity to interact with other Overseas Indians, Policy makers, Political leadership and others. The highlight of the PBD convention is the inaugural address by the Prime Minister. Chief Ministers of several states also participate and address the delegates on opportunities available in their respective states. The last day of PBD features the valedictory address by the President of India, who will also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on Overseas Indian for their achievements and contribution both in India and abroad. 

    Objectives of PBD 2017:

    • PBD 2017 will focus on the theme “Redefining the engagement with the Indian Diaspora”.
    • To strengthen Diaspora engagement and provide a platform for networking with the Diaspora.
    • To recognize the Diaspora’s contribution to India and know their expectations and concerns.
    • To deepen engagement with young Diasporas, to help them know more about their roots.

    Dr. António Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to be the Chief Guest at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. He will participate in the inaugural session of the PBD Convention on 8 January and address the delegates.

    Mr. Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin (36 years), Vice President of the Republic of Suriname will be the Special Guest at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held on 7 January. He will address the young overseas Indian delegates at the inaugural session of the Youth PBD, along with Minister of External Affairs Smt Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel. Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a platform to connect with the youth, the new generation of Pravasis growing up all over the world, confident, aspirational and transcending the old boundaries of caste and class. The government is keen to enable young Diaspora to know more about their roots and the place from where their fathers or forefathers originated. They can discover many features of India, its tradition, rich art and culture and also many facets of contemporary India.

    The Government has put in place many schemes and programs to connect with the young Diaspora.

    The ‘Know India Program’, conducted every year, familiarizes Indian Diaspora youth with India and KIP provides an exclusive forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations and experiences and to bound closely with contemporary India. 35 editions of KIP have been held so far.

    In 2015 “Bharat Ko Jaano” quiz online was launched for young overseas Indians in which we saw enthusiastic participation of young NRIs and PIOs. The final round of quiz will be held in Delhi on 2nd October 2016.

    The Youth PBD is the flagship initiative for our engagement with young Diaspora and provides forum to discuss issues and concern to Young Diaspora. The delegates of the Youth PBD will have the opportunity to interact with young Indian students pursuing programs in Bengaluru, and network with them. They will visit the Exhibition at the PBD conventions which showcases the government achievements in various sector, flagship programs, state governments’ initiative and policies; Indian corporate sectors and craft and cultural bazaar. In the evening of 7th January, the young delegates will enjoy an enthralling cultural performances organized by the state government of Karnataka. Youth PBDs overseas Indian delegates can also participate in the PBD convention on 8th January.

    The Youth PBD 2017 will focus on “Redefining engagement with the Indian Diaspora”. Nearly 300-400 overseas Indian youth are expected to participate in the Youth PBD, including nearly 150 PIOs who will be visiting India for the Know India program. The Youth PBD in 2017 will include plenary sessions on:

    1. Problems faced by Indian students abroad.
    2. Problems faced by NRI students in India.
    3. Startups and Innovation which have a social impact in India.

    In a message addressing the NRIs, Minister of External affairs, MsSushmaSwaraj said, “I personally extend my warm greetings to you. Please do come. This day is being celebrated in your honor. This day is dedicated to overseas Indians who, through heroic achievements, have made a mark in the world. We also dedicate this day to all overseas Indians who through their hard work have kept India’s flag flying high.”

    Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Siddaramaia said in a message, “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the largest gathering of overseas Indian Community in India. It is an important platform for the government of India to hear the views of the diaspora, have a direct dialogue with them and inform them about opportunities to contribute to their country of origin.”

    Register online for participating in the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention

    Last Date for Registration: 22 December, 2016.

    Special Discounts in Registration Fees for Young Delegates and Group Registrations

    For further information, please visit www.theindianpanorama.news  and www.pbdindia.gov.in

  • Portuguese PM to Be Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Portuguese PM to Be Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    NEW DELHI (TIP) — Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa will be the chief guest at next year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the foremost conclave of the Indian diaspora, it was announced Nov. 21.

    “Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the chief guest at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be held from January 7 to 9, 2017, in Bengaluru,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

    “He will participate in the inaugural session of the PBD convention on January 8 and address the delegates,” it stated.

    Costa, born in 1961 in Lisbon, is the son of writer Orlando da Costa, who was of Goan, Portuguese, and French descent. His mother was Maria Antonia Palla, a Portuguese journalist.

    Costa took charge as prime minister in November last year, creating media headlines in India.

    The ministry statement also said that 36-year-old Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, vice president of the South American nation of Suriname, will be the special guest at the Youth PBD to be held on Jan. 7 in Bengaluru.

    “He will address the young overseas Indian delegates at the inaugural session of the Youth PBD, along with Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel,” the statement added.

    According to the Indian embassy in Paramaribo, over 230,000 people of Indian origin hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and some 50 Sindhi families live in Suriname.

  • 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Bengaluru from January 7-9, 2017

    14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Bengaluru from January 7-9, 2017

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a Convention organized to connect the Government of India and State Governments of India to its Overseas Indian Diasporas. The PBD Convention provides a platform for the Indian Diaspora to engage with the Government of India and acquaint themselves about policies, developments and opportunities of contemporary India.

    The 14th PBD Convention will be held from 7 – 9 January 2017 in Bengaluru.

    The participants can register themselves through the portal that also gives all the information and details about the event: https://pbdindia.gov.in/