CELEBRATING THE GLOBAL INDIAN COMMUNITY: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 18TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS 2025

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention 2025 took place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8 to 10, marking the first-ever PBD held in Eastern India. This move aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Purvodaya’ initiative and strengthens the country’s ties with Southeast Asia, an area with historical maritime connections to Odisha. PBD 2025 not only deepened India’s engagement with its diaspora but also reinforced its ‘Act East Policy.’ The event saw participation from delegates across over 75 countries.

On January 8, the convention began with the youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, featuring Dr. Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, as the guest of honor. The opening plenary, “beyond barriers: Diaspora youth Leadership in a Globalized World,” was chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Labour and employment. Distinguished diaspora leaders from politics, business, and academia also shared insights. A joint business session chaired by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar and Odisha’s Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi discussed business opportunities in the state. Odisha’s government also organized two thematic sessions: “Unraveling India’s Best Kept Secret” and “Viksit Odisha: The road ahead,” concluding the day with a captivating cultural performance showcasing Odisha’s arts.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. This format allows for more focused discussions on specific areas of interest and provides opportunities for networking among the global Indian diaspora.

On January 9, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated PBD 2025. The President of Trinidad and Tobago, H. e. Christine Carla Kangaloo, addressed the gathering virtually, reflecting on her Indian ancestry and the diaspora’s contributions. The Prime Minister urged the diaspora to contribute to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and preserve diaspora history through digitization efforts. He also launched the Pravasi Bharatiya express remotely and inaugurated several exhibitions, including “Vishwaroop ram,” “Recording Diaspora History – Mandvi to Muscat,” and “Odisha’s economic Progress and Heritage.” The day also saw interactions between the Prime Minister and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award winners.

Day two featured plenary sessions on topics such as “building bridges, breaking barriers: Stories of Migrant Skills” and “Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contributions to Sustainable Development,” led by Ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Ashwini Vaishnaw, respectively. The day concluded with a spectacular “Celebration of Bharat” gala cultural performance by ICCR. On the third day, plenary sessions included “Diaspora Divas: Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Influence – Nari Shakti,” chaired by Dr. S. Jaishankar, and “Diaspora Dialogues: Stories of Culture Connection and belongingness,” chaired by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Culture and Tourism. EAM and other union Ministers engaged with diaspora groups from countries including the USA, UK, Qatar, Malaysia, and more.

The valedictory session, presided over by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, celebrated the indomitable spirit of the Indian diaspora, with special recognition for women, students, and youth. The President highlighted the government’s efforts to improve consular services and protect the diaspora, citing recent evacuation operations. She also conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards to 27 individuals from 24 countries. The convention concluded with a soulful Santoor performance by Maestro Shri Abhay Rustum Sopori.