PM Modi to inaugurate 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, launch special train today

New Delhi: On January 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Odisha and remotely flag off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express. PM Modi arrived in Bhubaneswar on January 8, where he was greeted by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The PBD convention, organized by the Central government in collaboration with the Odisha state government, is taking place in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10. Delegates from over 50 countries are expected to attend, with the theme focusing on the “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.”

Following the inauguration, PM Modi will flag off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train designed for the Indian diaspora. This train will leave from Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and visit various tourism and religious sites across India over three weeks, as part of the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate four exhibitions at the convention venue, which include:

1. Vishwaroop Ram: The Universal Legacy of Ramayana (ICCR)
2. Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology (MEA, curated by Dr. Masooma Rizvi)
3. Bharat Bharatiya: Swadesh Pardes – Abhilekhiye Virasat par adharit Pradarshani (Launch of Oman Collection by National Archives of India)
4. Exhibition on Heritage and Culture of Odisha (by the Odisha state government)

PM Modi will tour the promotional stalls of various Union Ministries and state governments, including MSME, DST, Ministry of Culture, and others.

The convention will feature a virtual address by Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, as the Chief Guest. The afternoon session will focus on “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Stories of Migrant Skills,” chaired by Minister Shobha Karandlaje, while the evening session will cover “Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contributions to Sustainable Development,” chaired by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The valedictory session will take place on January 10, with closing remarks from President Droupadi Murmu and the presentation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

The PBD Convention was first established in 2003 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government to engage with the overseas Indian community. It has since become a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs, held in different cities to highlight India’s diversity and progress. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennial event, allowing for focused discussions and networking opportunities among the global Indian diaspora.