Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2025 - Date, History and Objectives

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non Resident Indian Day)

The Union Government of India celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or Non Resident Indian Day on 9^th of January each year, to commemorate the achievements of the individuals of Indian origin, in their respective fields; and also to persuade them to bring their knowledge and expertise to Indian soil.

The day also marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa on 9^th January 1915 and he is presented as a symbol of a change and development a Non Resident Indian could bring into India. Mahatma Gandhi inculcated his experiences of 21 years as a Civil Rights Activist in South Africa into India’s freedom struggle; finally freeing her from the clutches of British Empire.

The Government of India believes that a NRI has a global exposure in terms of business and development strategies around the world; therefore, if provided with an opportunity they will infuse those ideas and experiences on their mother land, contributing to her development.

The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated on 9^th January 2003 and was observed annually till 2015. A decision to make the event biennial was taken by the Ministry Of External Affairs in 2016, since then it is celebrated every second year.

Highlights of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025

The 18^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be celebrated with great zeal and zest in India in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 8^th January to 10^th January 2025. The event will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this year’s theme will be “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.

Following were the major highlights of the event in 2023:

In 2023 it was 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
It was started on 8th of January organizing the youth and state segments.
The theme for this event celebration in 2023 was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal”.
The convention was inaugurated by the PM of India on January 9, 2023.
It was first time ever when digital exhibition was organized highlighting the contribution of diaspora in the freedom struggle of the country.
A commemorative stamp was released with “Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen”, emphasizng the importance of safe, legal, and skilled migration of the people.
People were awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 by the President.
Five thematic plenary sessions were held discussing role of diaspora in healthcare, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 Held In

The 18^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 8^th January to 10^th January. The theme of 2025 will be “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat” and the event will be inaugurated by PM Modi. It is a flagship event by the Indian Government providing a platform for connecting the overseas Indian diaspora. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be conferred by The President of India during the valedictory session of the convention. It is the highest honor recognizing Indian diaspora’s achievements and contributions. Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conferences will also be organized by the Ministry of External Affairs for the diaspora unable to attend the main event. Pravasi Bharatiya community helps in the development of country through their initiatives in the health and education specially in the rural areas.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 Virtual Celebration

16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 was celebrated on 9th of January virtually with the theme “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 in Varanasi

15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 which was held on 21^st to 23^rd January, 2019 was actually a week of events for the invitees; including the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj and Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi. Date wise activities with the time of the events is given below-

The official website for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 was launched on 15^th September 2018. The registrations were opened till 15^th November 2018. Any individual or groups could register to witness the events by paying required fee.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 in Bengaluru

14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in 2017 from 7th of January to 9th of January in Bengaluru with the theme “Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora”. This year digital modes were used to reach out to Indians abroad.

History of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

A high level committee under the chairmanship of L.M. Singhvi was appointed in September 2001 by the Union Government of India to look into the matters of Non Resident Indians and the people of Indian origin who have migrated to other parts of the world.

The committee presented its report to the then Prime Minister of India Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 8^th January 2002 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. In its report the committee recommended establishing dialogues and interaction with Indian Diaspora abroad to address their issues as well as to gain from their knowledge and expertise. The Prime Minister announced the observation of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9^th of January from the next year. The date was chosen to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa on 9^th January 1915.

The recommendations of the Committee were aimed at addressing the issues those concern India’s own children residing outside, and also to commemorate their effort towards spreading the Indian culture and values to other parts of the world. A decision was also made to felicitate those who have made commendable achievements in their respective fields; by conferring to them “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman”.

The Need for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

There had been huge migrations from Indian soil, both before independence as well as after India gained Independence; which has continued till today. India has the world’s largest overseas population, with over 16 million NRIs residing in other parts of the world.

There is an Indian community in every part of the world; so much so that the sun never sets on it. These people have become an integral part of their country of resident; but still retain their Indian culture and values. They represent an India outside India and it is the Government of India’s responsibility to look into the matters concerning them.

Apart from felicitating individuals for exceptional achievements, the celebration also provides a dais for addressing the issues concerning the Indian Diaspora. Issues like the consular difficulties they face during their visit to India, the reception they get in their own motherland or the courtesy they think should have been extended to them by the government and other organizations.

Indian Diaspora has a high potential for bringing scientific, cultural and economical development in India. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is an event where they can interact with the Government of India and chart out a future plan for the development of their motherland; be it in science & technology or infield of education.

The basic idea behind the organization of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to address the difficulties NRIs face while visiting India or even in their respective country of resident; and, in return to persuade them to bring back their experiences and ideas to contribute into the development of India.

Since 2016, the Government of India has also introduced the “Overseas Citizenship of India”, a limited dual citizenship for the people of Indian origin residing outside India in an attempt to provide them easy access to their motherland and contribute to her development.

Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (RPBD)

The Ministry of External Affairs of India organizes the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas outside India to interact with the Indian community there and familiarize them with Government’s policies and decisions, also addressing the issues of their concern; in a bid to encourage them to contribute to India’s development.

Till 2018, 10 Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas have been organized by the Ministry of External Affairs-

First RPBD was held in New York, USA on September 24^th
Second RPBD was held in Singapore from 10th to 11^th October 2008.
Third RPBD was held in Hague, Netherlands on 19^thSeptember 2009.
Fourth RPBD was held in Durban, South Africa, from 1^st-2^ndOctober 2010.
Fifth RPBD was held in Toronto, Canada from 8^th– 10^th June 2011.
Sixth RPBD was held in Pailles, Mauritius from 27^thto 28^th October 2012.
Seventh RPBD was held in Sydney, Australia from 10^thto 12^th November 2013.
Eighth RPBD was held in London, UK from 16^thto 18^th October 2014.
Ninth RPBD was held in Los Angeles, USA from 14^th-15^thNovember 2015.
Tenth RPBD was held in Singapore from 6^thto 7^th January 2016.

The Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas addresses a large number of issues like- culture, science & technology, economy; as well as the issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.

Previous “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” – Venue & Chief Guests

The Union Government of India had celebrated 15 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas till 2019; the last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from 21^st to 23^rd January 2019. Below is the list of previous Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in India with dates and venue –

1^stPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 9^th to 11^th January 2003.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Mauritius was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

2^ndPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 9^th to 11^th January 2004.

Shri Bharrat Jagdeo; President of Guyana was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

3^rdPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Mumbai, Maharashtra from 7^th to 9^th January 2005.

Shri J.R. Ajodhia, Vice President of Suriname was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

4^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Hyderabad (Now in Telangana) from 7^th to 9^th January 2006.

Shri Ahmed Kathrada; political activist from South Africa was the chief guest of the occasion.

5^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 7^th to 9^th January 2007.

Professor S. Jayakumar; Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

6^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 7^th to 9^th January 2008.

Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam; Prime Minister of Mauritius was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

7^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Chennai from 7^th to 9^th January 2009.

Dr. Ramdien Sardjoe; Vice President of Suriname was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

8^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 7^th to 9^th January 2010.

Dr. Khalid Hameed; Chairman of the Alpha Hospital Group, UK, was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

9^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 7^th to 9^th January 2011.

Sir Anand Satyanand; Governor General of New Zealand was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

10^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Jaipur, Rajasthan from 7^thto 9^th January 2012.

Hon. Kamla Persad Bissessar; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

11^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Kochi, Kerala from 7^th to 9^th January 2013.

Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag; President of Mauritius was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

12^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at New Delhi from 7^th to 9^th January 2014.

Sri G.Palanivel; Federal Minister for Natural Resource and Environment, Malaysia, was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

13^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7^th to 9^th January 2015.

Mr. Donald Rabinderanauth Ramotar; President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

14^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Bangalore, Karnataka from 7^th to 9^th January 2017.

Dr. Antonio Costa; Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

15^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from 21^st to 23^rd January 2019.

Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius was the Chief Guest on the invitation of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.

16^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held virtually on 9th of January 2021.
17^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 8th January to 10th January 2023.
18^thPravasi Bharatiya Divas will be in held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 8^th January to 10^th January 2025.

Events of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Celebration

The celebration is a three day affair, arranged by the Ministry Of Overseas Indian Affairs, which was merged with the External Affairs Ministry in 2016; in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry. If organized outside Delhi the concerned state government plays as the partner in the function.

Indian Diaspora across the world is open heartedly invited to share their concerns as well as thoughts and ideas about the scientific, political, economical development of India. Non Resident Indians who have made commendable contribution in their respective fields are felicitated and encouraged to contribute in whatever way they can, to the development of India.

During the three day long observation, various programs are organized where the Indian Diaspora interacts with the Ministers and Officials of India and other important business personalities of India. Issues like trade, education, investment, emigration, culture, health, science and development are discussed with the Indian Diaspora; in a bid to persuade them to impart their expertise in India’s development.