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.