Bhubaneswar: The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began today at The Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. The first day of the three-day conference was inaugurated with the “Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” grand ceremony.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Chief Executive Officer, Newsweek (USA) Dev Pragad were present on the occasion.
Welcoming the Indian diaspora at the event, Chief Minister Shri Majhi said that for the first time in Bhubaneswar, this event will remain an unforgettable memory of our lives and the bridge of relations will be further strengthened in the days to come. Through organizing this day, we express our happiness for the extraordinary contribution of more than 30 million Indians living in 200 countries of the world. The indian diaspora is our cultural ambassadors and they reflect india’s pride everywhere. We are proud of their excellence abroad.
Stating that the Indian diaspora has been demonstrating their achievements in science and crafts, global cooperation and government policy-making, The Chief Minister also said that industrialists Gopichand Hinduja and L.S. N Mittal, corporate leaders Indira Nooyi, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, scientist Venkat Ramakrishnan and fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra have brought laurels to India at the global level.
The Chief Minister invited the indian diaspora to participate in the development journey of Odisha and said that Odisha has immense potential in the fields of technology, renewable energy, infrastructure development, education and tourism etc. The Chief Minister called for investment, partnership and cultural engagement with Odisha in these areas.
Union Minister of External Affairs Dr. Jaishankar said the Indian diaspora has always maintained a bond with their homeland, India. No matter which country in the world they live in, they are always keen on india’s development. The Indian diaspora is doing exemplary work in various fields such as artificial intelligence, electronic vehicles, drones, technology, craftsmanship, space research etc. He said that their partnership with India will contribute significantly to the realisation of the dream of a developed India.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Mandaviya said that mahatma gandhi, the father of the nation, came to India from South Africa 110 years ago. The country’s independence was made possible under the leadership of Gandhi, who had gained vast experience in solving issues such as racism, human rights, development obstacles, etc. Similarly, nris can be partners in building a developed India based on their experience and experience.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said that the conference will complete the roadmap of a developed India with the tools of sustainable development goals along with technology among the youth of the country.
Speaking about his successful journey, Dr.Pragad, Chief Executive Officer of Newsweek (USA), said that his organization has achieved recognition as one of the most widely circulated publishing houses in the world today with many stages, leadership and digital innovation. He said that organising Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has strengthened the bonds between India and the Indian diaspora.
Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports thanked everyone. Hundreds of NRIs, intellectuals from different walks of life, researchers, social activists and entrepreneurs gathered at the event.