New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi jointly launched the website (pbdindia.gov.in) of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention here today. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also joined the launch ceremony.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs. It provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indian Diaspora.
The 18th PBD Convention will be organized from January 8-10 at Janata Maidan, in collaboration with the State Government.
The theme of PBD Convention for 2025 is “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Youth edition of PBD will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the valedictory session.
The launch of the PBD website marks the commencement of online registration for participation in the PBD Convention 2025. The website will also facilitate reservation of accommodation in Odisha and provide detailed information on PBD 2025.
While launching the website, EAM remarked that the Government of India under the inspirational leadership of Prime Minister Modi has accorded the highest priority to the well being of the more than 35 millions strong Indian Diaspora.
Prime Minister Modi’s regular interactions with the Diaspora during his official visits abroad and the unwavering support of the latter to India’s growth story are testimony to the strong bonds shared between India and its global community.
EAM expressed confidence that the Indian Diaspora will continue to play an important role in India’s march towards a Viksit Bharat.
The Chief Minister welcomed Indian Diaspora overseas to visit Odisha. He hoped that they would be able to witness and appreciate the rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha. He encouraged them to participate in the PBD Convention 2025 in large numbers.
Majhi said the mega event will help in putting Odisha in the international map and it will also boost the state’s tourism sector.