Jan 9 is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI Day)

January 9, 2024 is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI Day). 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year since 2003 to mark the contribution of Indian Diaspora in the development of India. 

Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and other partners, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas serves as a platform for the global Indian diaspora to engage with the Indian government. It aims to acknowledge and honor the achievements of overseas Indians, foster ties and provide opportunities for collaboration.

January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion because on this day on 1915, Mahatma Gandhi, one of the jewels of the Indian Diaspora, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

Since 2015, the format has been revised to celebrate the PBD once every two years and to hold theme-based PBD Conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy makers and stakeholders. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also 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.

List of Seventeen PBD Events:

There have been seventeen PBD Events held so far:

The 17th PBD Convention was held from 8–10 January, 2023 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh as the partner State. The theme for the 17th PBD was "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.

Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries registered for the PBD Convention, which also witnessed the government facilitate some members with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.

Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (RPBD)

Ministry has been also organizing Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conferences (RPBD) to reach out to a vast majority of our diaspora, who for various reasons, are unable to attend the main biennial event in India and benefit from its deliberations. This is in response to a strong and persistent demand for holding such events regionally. These have elicited enthusiastic support from the Indian diaspora and the local Governments and have been highly successful. So far, ten RPBDs have been held as per details below:

Many Indian Consulates around the world celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. For instance, Embassy of India in Oslo commemorated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Lier on January 6, 2024, celebrating the stories of the first-generation Pravasis in Drammen and Lier. Over 150 people attended, engaging in interactive panel discussions and enjoying bhangra dance.

Embassy of India in Oslo commemorated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Lier on January 6, 2024, celebrating the stories of the first-generation Pravasis in Drammen and Lier. Over 150 people attended, engaging in interactive panel discussions and enjoying bhangra dance. pic.twitter.com/dwibYhUNqM

— India in Norway (@IndiainNorway) January 7, 2024

The Indian Diaspora looks forward to the next Pravasi Bharaitya Divas meet in India in 2025.