17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention | 09 Jan 2023

Why in News?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to the development of India.

  • The Prime Minister inaugurated the 17th three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and a digital exhibition on the contribution of the diaspora in the freedom struggle. He also released a commemorative stamp, ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ on the occasion.

What is Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas?

  • Background:
    • 9th January was chosen as the day to celebrate PBD since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
    • This day came into effect in 2003, but in 2015 it was revised and was decided to be celebrated every two years. It was then a theme-based conference that was set up every year during the interim period.
    • PBD Conventions are held once every two years.
      • PBD 2023: The theme is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
    • On this day, the Government also confers Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
      • It is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO); or an organisation or institution established and run by NRI OR PIO, who have made significant contributions to a better understanding of India abroad, support India's causes and concerns in a tangible way.
  • Significance:
    • This day plays a significant role as the overseas Indian community gets a shared platform to get themselves engaged with the government and the native people of the land.
    • The conventions are very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

What are the Government Initiatives related to Overseas Indians?

  • Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY): To institutionalize the process of skill development of emigrant Indian workers.
  • Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC): 100 scholarships per annum are granted to PIO and NRI students for undergraduate courses.
  • Know India Program’ (KIP): It familiarizes Indian-origin youth (18-30 years) with their Indian roots and contemporary India.
  • E-migrate System: It is a foreign employers database. It ensures the welfare and check on exploitation met to emigrants.
  • VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty) Scheme: It formalizes a rotation program wherein top NRI scientists, engineers, doctors, managers and professionals serve Indian public sector organizations for a brief period, lending their expertise.

Source: PIB