- It is time to spread a message about India‘s rich and cultural heritage. As ambassadors of India, you must also look beyond some major cities and explore small towns and villages that make this country unique.
- Wherever you live in any part of the world, plant a sapling in your mother’s name in the new city of your domicile. Spread a message about the philosophy, diversity and rich civilization you come from.
- Institute awards to commemorate local heroes and Indian missions overseas will extend all possible support. When you come next time for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, bring along at least five people from your new neighborhoods.
By Prabhjot Singh
BHUBANESWAR (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his inaugural address to the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneshwar on Thursday, January 8 was accorded a standing ovation on his arrival at the nearly packed specially erected pandal.
Though the verve and exuberance that usually accompany his addresses at such august gatherings were missing, he made up for it with his exclamations, appealing to the participating delegates to play a proactive role in projecting India abroad.
More than 3000 delegates drawn from around the globe are participating 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 Bharatiya 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.
Prime Minister eulogized the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in making it the number one nation in the world for remittances back home. Stressing the need for connecting the new generation with its roots in India, Narendra Modi wanted the delegates to talk about India, its history, its culture, its diversity, and its progress not only with their children but also in their neighborhoods and workplaces.
He exhorted them to work as ambassadors of India as the country was making rapid strides in all areas, including technology.
Prime Minister also remotely flagged off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special Tourist train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and would travel to multiple destinations of tourist and religious importance in India for three weeks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana of the Ministry of External Affairs.
He also urged the delegates to visit all places of religious and historic significance, including Prayagraj, to avail themselves of a rare opportunity of attending the “Mahakumbh.”
After inaugurating the convention, PM Modi also went around various exhibitions and put up different departments of both the Union Government and the host Odisha government to showcase the progress the country has made since attaining Independence in 1947.
In 2047, when India completes its centenary of independence, it will be a superpower.
Mr. Modi inaugurated four exhibitions – Vishwaroop Ram: The Universal Legacy of Ramayana – by ICCR; Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology– by MEA (curated by Dr Masooma Rizvi); “Bharat Bharatiya: Swadesh Pardes – Abhilekhiye Virasat – Launch of Oman collection”, by National Archives of India; and exhibition on Heritage and Culture of Odisha by Odisha government.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, and Odisha Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, talked about the importance of the PBD and the role the Indian Diaspora has played in both rebuilding India and its image overseas.
The Chief guest, the President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo while addressing the august gathering remotely, talked about her own journey and also those of others in her country who migrated to Trinidad and Tobago more than a hundred years ago.