PM Modi inaugurates 18 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention on Thursday. This significant event, celebrated once every two years, honours the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland. 

The theme for this year is the “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. 

The event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha government from January 8 to January 10. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention kicked off on Wednesday, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calling upon NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin to actively participate in the quest for a ‘viksit Bharat’.

Acknowledging young diaspora’s role in enhancing perception of India globally, the country has started its journey towards ‘viksit Bharat’, Mr. Jaishankar said.

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi highlights the State’s cultural



heritage and describes Odisha as a hub of diverse traditions, emphasising its contributions to India’s classical arts like Odissi dance and the Pattachitra paintings.

“The State of Odisha is a holistic hub of diversified cultures and historical excellence... Odissi is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India. The intricate art of Pattachitra continues to enchant the world.” he adds. 

President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo says India and its people have made some “greatest contributions to the development of the world.”

While addressing the convention virtually as the chief guest, she says, “India’s contributions to the world’s development are remarkable. The world’s first university was established in Takshashila in 700 BC,”. 

“Algebra, trigonometry and calculus were also first developed in India,” she adds.