Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Janata Maidan on Thursday to inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2025.
He will also inaugurate four exhibitions and then take a tour of the exhibitions and promotional stalls of Union and state ministries and departments, officials said.
The 18th PBD is being jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha government from January 8 to January 10. The theme of the convention is ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.’
Apart from formally inaugurating the convention, the PM will remotely flag-off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi. This train will travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious importance in India for a period of three weeks.
At the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi highlights Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, stating, “Odisha is a hub of diversified cultures, with Odissi being one of the oldest classical dance forms and Pattachitra enchanting the world. The famous Sambalpur handloom fabrics reflect our vibrant traditions, and beyond heritage, Odisha is a treasure trove of natural beauty.”
At the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the growing significance of the diaspora in today’s globalized world.
He stated, “In a globalised era, the diaspora only becomes more important with each passing year. Whether it is technology, best practices, or resources, be it tourism, trade, or investment, the two-way flows you enable are invaluable. The very people-centric changes we promote in India also benefit the diaspora.”
