Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Overseas Indian Day, is celebrated annually on January 9 to honour the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s development. This day aims to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and help them reconnect with their roots.
The 18th edition of the celebration has already begun in the vibrant city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be observed from January 8 to January 10, 2025. The day is significant as it not only brings Non-Resident Indians (NRI) back to their roots but also recognises their achievements. Learn more about the history and significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which are outlined below.
ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ
କଳା, ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଓ ଐତିହ୍ୟ ତଥା ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ପବିତ୍ର ଭୂମି ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ ଯଶସ୍ଵୀ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଜୀ ଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ସ୍ଵାଗତ। Jai Jagannath #PBD2025 #PravasiBharatiyaDivas pic.twitter.com/c543HBWRGp
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 8, 2025
What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
The significant day has a historical connection to Mahatma Gandhi. On this day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and emerged as a pivotal figure in India’s Freedom Struggle, helping to liberate the country from British colonial rule. This day is also celebrated as Mahatma Gandhi, a Non-Resident Indian, symbolises the change and development he envisioned for India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) conventions, first observed in 2003, have been held annually since then.
A historic day for Odisha as the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention gets underway. Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji will inaugurate the #PBD2025 tomorrow, 9th January. I welcome all Pravasi Bharatiyas, guests and international delegates to Odisha and wish them a pleasant stay… pic.twitter.com/ji8SjVeucx
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 8, 2025
Theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held this year in Bhubaneswar, in partnership with the State Government of Odisha. The theme for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 is “The Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.” The convention will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9, 2025. Numerous prominent guests, including the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo, will address the event virtually.
