17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

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

Why is Pravasi Bhartiya Day celebrated?
• A High-Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, headed by jurist and Parliamentarian LM Singhvi, had recommended in January 2002 that the government must renew and strengthen linkages of overseas Indians to their place of origin, and with each other.
• The committee recommended that a Pravasi Bharatiya Bhavan should be set up to emerge as the focal point for networking between India and its overseas Indian community; and as a suitable place which to commemorate the stories of the Indian Diaspora. The idea of a day to have the government recognise the community flowed from this, and was held in 2003.
• January 9 was selected as it was the date when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. 
• Since 2015, the centenary year of Gandhi’s return, the format was revised for the meeting to be held once every two years. Since the pandemic, this will be the first in-person meeting. 

What is this year’s theme?
• “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal” 
• The Special Guest of Honour is Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and the Chief Guest is Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana. 

What award is presented?
• An award called The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is given out as part of the programme. According to the official website, “It is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin; or an organisation or institution established and run by them.” 
• A jury-cum-awards committee, with (the) Vice President as the chairman and External Affairs Minister as the vice-chair and other distinguished members from various walks of life considered the nominations…and unanimously selected the awardees. 

What are government initiatives for Overseas Indians?
• Know India Program - 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.
• Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) - To institutionalize the process of skill development of emigrant Indian workers.
• 100 scholarships per annum are granted to PIO and NRI students for undergraduate courses under Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children.