16th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) 2021

Context:

The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, is being virtually organized on 9th January 2021, to connect with the Indian Overseas.

The Theme of 16th PBD Convention 2021 is "Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat".

The 16^th PBD convention 2021 was held virtually in New Delhi.

Chief Guest: President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

AatmaNirbhar Bharat and world:

Indian Overseas are now working on realising the goal of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Mission and are becoming ambassadors of 'BRAND INDIA'.

Products that are made in India will benefit the whole world. Pharma industry demonstrates benefits of India’s capabilities by developing two ‘Made in India’ Corona vaccines E.g. Two Covid-19 vaccins: Covishield and Covaxin. India’s space programme and tech Startup ecosystem are leading in the world.

 

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
• January 9 was chosen because on this day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.
• Shri A.B. Vajpayee started the PBD convention in 2003 and since then it was held every year till 2015. Now PBD celebrated biannually.

Indian Diaspora Leading Abroad:

• People of Indian origin have held important positions in all fields including politics, technology and academics.
• Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian to be Member of Parliament in UK.
• Now, Kamala Harris has become the Vice President-elect of the US. Also, President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokh is a man of Indian origin. Similarly, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, who is Prime Minister of Mauritius, also has Indian roots. Priti Patel, the Secretary of State for the Home Department in the UK, is also part of the Indian Diaspora.
• Not just politics, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Indra Nooyi, Shantanu Narayen, Ajay Banga have also brought fame to India with their extraordinary achievements in different fields. The Government gives the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to those who have made significant contributions in better understanding of India abroad.
• This year 30 people including New Zealand Minister Priyanka Radhakrishnan and Mukesh Aghi were conferred this award. An NGO from Armenia was awarded for propagating Indian culture and Dr Rajani Chandra De'Mello of Azerbaijan was awarded for his contribution in medicine.

 

Also Read : H-1B Visa Issues (India & US)

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award:

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin for significant contribution in better understanding of India abroad.

During the PBD convention, select eminent Indian diaspora members are awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in the presence of Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji.

Third Edition of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2021:

• The first edition of the online "Bharat ko Janiye" Quiz was organized for young overseas Indians and foreigners of 18-35 years of age in 2015-16.
• This was followed by the second edition of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz in 2018-19.
• The third edition of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21 has been held virtually from 30 September to 28 December 2020.
• Fifteen winners of the Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21 will be announced during the PBD convention and will be invited for an India Tour (Bharat ko Janiye Darshan) after Covid.

  

WHO ARE OVERSEAS INDIANS?

• 1.87 Crore Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) in the world.
• There are a total of 3.21 Crore Overseas Indians in the world. This number is greater than the population of 190 countries.
• Persons of Indian origin (PIOs) are people of Indian birth, descent or origin who live outside India and have the citizenship of that country.
• From Indra Nooyi to Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella and Kalpana Chawla, people of Indian Diaspora have made their country proud.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) has 34.20 Lakh Indians, giving new direction to Relations with Overseas Indians.
• The Prime Minister has tried to connect with overseas Indians on every foreign tour. From New York’s Madison Square to Sydney’s Allphones Arena, from Seychelles to Mauritius to Shanghai, everywhere the Prime Minister was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Indian Diaspora.
• Government's move to merge PIO and OCI was welcomed by Overseas Indians.
• Visa rules are relaxed and procedures are simplified.

Questions can ask in UPSC/UPPSC and other Competitive Examinations (Prelims Booster):

1. On which date PBD celebrate?

2. What is background of PBD ?

3. Who is the Pravasi/Overseas Indian?

Also Read : Benefits & Issues of Indian Diaspora

Source:

PIB