PM Modi’s Appeal to Diaspora at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the Indian diaspora to join hands in making India a developed nation by 2047. Delivering the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, PM Modi said that the diaspora played a very crucial role in the independence of India and is now contributing to the development of India.

Inauguration of Pravasi Bharatiya Express

During the event, PM Modi and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the Pravasi Bharatiya Express. This special tourist train is provided to those people of Indian origin who fall in an age group between 45 to 65 years. The train can carry as many as 156 passengers and take the Indian diaspora to different tourist, historic, or religious places in India over a period of three weeks. The journey starts from the Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi.

Meaning of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to acknowledge the contributions made by the Indian diaspora for their motherland. The occasion holds special importance because it was on this day that Mahatma Gandhi came back to India in 1915 after spending many years outside the country. PM Modi gave significance to the day by stating that the diaspora’s presence in India during these festival days only enhances the gaiety of the festival days.

PM Modi’s Speech

In his address, PM Modi greeted the diaspora and thanked them for their contribution to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building process. He asserted that the world listens to India and its interests on the world stage, and the country’s views on the Global South are also considered. PM Modi claimed that India’s strength lies in its heritage, and the future does not lie in war but in peace, symbolized by Buddha.

PM Modi also called the diaspora ambassadors of India to the countries that they reside in. He assured them that it is the responsibility of the Indian government to help the diaspora in times of crises where-ever they may be. He further emphasised that the governments are working on ensuring that the youths from India who venture abroad acquire suitable skills.

External Affairs Minister’s Speech

Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked the diaspora for their role in nation-building. He highlighted the measures taken by the Narendra Modi government to keep the diaspora safe whenever the situation demanded. He likened the event to a family reunion and emphasized the importance of the diaspora in sustaining the two-way flow of people, ideas, trade, and investment in a globalized world.

Exhibitions and Cultural Showcases

The event also included several exhibitions that reflected India’s vibrant and diverse culture. These were:

• Vishwaroop Ram – The Universal Legacy of Ramayana: An exhibition presenting the timeless epic of Ramayana through traditional and contemporary art forms.
• Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology and Viksit Bharat: Acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the development of technology worldwide.
• Spread and Evolution of Indian Diaspora: Displaying few rare documents of people who had left their native place from Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman.
• Cultural Heritage of Odisha: Glimpses of rich heritage and cultural traditions of Odisha through various art and craft forms.

Final Thoughts

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar was a significant event that underscored the vital role of the Indian diaspora in the country’s development. PM Modi’s call to the diaspora to contribute to Mission Viksit Bharat by 2047 reflects the government’s vision of a developed and prosperous India. The event not only celebrated the achievements of the diaspora but also strengthened the bond between India and its global community.