Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), or Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9 every year to honour the contributions of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. It serves as a platform to strengthen the bond between India and its vast Diaspora, which is spread across the globe. On this day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa as the largest expatriate and led India’s freedom struggle. This day is a major, far-reaching and purposeful program of the Government of India, which provides a platform for Indians living abroad to connect with India and communicate with each other. This year’s 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference is being organized in Bhubaneswar from 8 to 10 January 2025 in collaboration with the Odisha State Government.
The theme of this year’s day is “Contribution of NRIs in Developed India”. This theme underlines the contribution of NRIs in making India a self-reliant and world-class developed nation. Because the Indian Diaspora has today become an important and distinct force in the global system, which is increasing the pride of India by developing as an energetic and self-confident community in every field and is making a great contribution to world affairs by establishing high positions in various countries. The Indian Diaspora has overcome many challenges to excel in all fields of life including art, literature, culture, politics, sports, business, education, film, philanthropy, science and technology, demonstrating extraordinary dedication, talent, skill, perseverance and hard work.
There are the highest number of Indian Diaspora in the world. Currently, about 8.5 million Indians live in the Gulf countries, which is the largest population of immigrants in the world. There are about 4 million Indians in the United States. It has the second largest population of Indians after Mexico. Apart from this, a large population of Indian Diaspora lives in other countries including Canada, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Nepal. Even while living abroad, the Indian Diaspora is connected to its country, its soil, its culture and its roots. Today, Indians have made their mark on the international stage as a new power.
The World Bank report states that Indians have sent the most money to their country in the whole world. World Bank data has shown that in 2024, India has received $129 billion from NRIs. This is the highest ever. The money sent by the NRIs played an important role in writing India’s development story as well as doing philanthropic work. NRIs have got a common identity only because of keeping their cultural heritage intact. Their success should be attributed to their traditional thinking, cultural values, educational qualification and talent. They have played an important role in the revolution in the field of information technology at the global level. Seeing the strength of the NRIs and to connect them with their roots, in 2002, the NDA’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee government decided to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas on 9 January every year.
Indians have the highest population in the world among those who leave their country and live in other countries for jobs, industry, business and many other reasons. In America, Britain, Canada and many other countries, Indians have not only been elected as ministers and MPs in the governments there but also hold high positions in policy making departments. The specialty of Indians is that whichever country they went to, they imbibed its culture and constitution. They made significant contributions to its trade, industry, medical sector etc. Even though the NRIs have imbibed everything there, they have not forgotten the fragrance of the soil of Mother India.
The culture and values of India are ingrained in their veins. With the support of the NRIs, India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council can become a reality. In November 2017, India demonstrated its diplomatic influence by securing two-thirds of the votes in the United Nations for the reappointment of Justice Dalveer Bhandari to the International Court of Justice. It is no small matter that the rapidly rising heights of Indian origin and NRIs in the political, economic and business fields in every corner of the world have become important in view of India’s rapid development.
Many more politicians of Indian origin in many countries of the world are the shining faces of India in front of the world, taking their respective countries forward. Along with this, they are also the advocates of India’s interests on the world stage and are seen making their important contribution to India’s development in every possible way. Not only this, along with reaching the heights of politics in various countries of the world, Indian origin and NRIs are also far ahead in the field of global economic and financial institutions IT, computer, management, banking, finance etc. There is no doubt that it is not easy for Indian origin and NRIs to achieve such success by adapting to the new culture of foreign countries. Such shining stars of various fields are also extending the benefits of their shine to the motherland India. It is worth noting that in various countries of the world including America, pro-India organizations are working to take India forward on the path of development. The contribution of the NRI organization ‘Indiaspora’ has been unprecedented in making India’s presidency of G-20 in 2023 and the G-20 Summit held in New Delhi on 9-10 September a success.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), NRIs from more than 50 countries are participating in the conference organized in Bhubaneswar on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas this year. Certainly, the collective strength and capability of the NRIs will give further impetus to the inclusive development of the nation. They will contribute their energy, experience, ideas, business skills, investment, technical expertise and knowledge sharing to enhance our capabilities to achieve the vision of a strong India-New India and self-reliant India. The call of the motherland is such that it does not see the barriers of time and distance. NRIs have built prosperous and productive lives in their countries of residence in different corners of the world.
This conference also has an incentive scheme to honor individuals of exceptional merit with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in the development of India. With the vision of a “Developed India”, this conference is an effective platform to promote economic, social and cultural cooperation between India and its Diaspora. It is a powerful medium to inspire the Indian Diaspora to play an active role in India’s development journey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the NRIs during his foreign trips, has tried to assure them that India is on the path of economic reforms and investing and doing business in India has become easier than ever before, so they should not hesitate to invest in India.’ India is moving towards becoming the world leader along with becoming the third largest economy of the world. In these pleasant circumstances, strengthening the position of NRIs abroad is a good thing, but the role of NRIs is also expected to be important in the changing conditions in the country and in the newly emerging India.
The writer is a Journalist, Columnist
