19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be held in Kolkata from January 7 to 9, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held in Kolkata from January 7 to 9, 2027.
• Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the event commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa on January 9, 1915.
• The theme for this edition is 'Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat'.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the convention, while President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session and confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
• The Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz was also launched, offering winners a 10-day immersive tour of India and participation in the PBD celebrations.

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Detailed Insights:

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was instituted in 2003 following recommendations from the L.M. Singhvi High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora formed in 2000.
• Since 2015, the main convention has adopted a biennial format, occurring every two years, with smaller thematic conferences held in the intervening years.
• The convention serves as a crucial platform for the Indian government to engage with the global Indian diaspora, fostering connections and recognizing their diverse contributions to India's development.
• The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians, recognizing their exceptional and meritorious contributions in various fields that enhance India's prestige globally.
• The Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, aims to deepen the understanding of India's rich history, culture, heritage, and achievements among diaspora youth and friends of India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD): An event observed on January 9 to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to India's development, with the main convention held biennially.
• Indian Diaspora: A collective term for people of Indian origin residing outside India, encompassing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
• Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award: The highest honor bestowed by the President of India upon overseas Indians for their distinguished achievements and significant contributions to India and the global community.