Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010 (PBD)
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to recognize the contributions of Indian overseas community abroad. It is held every year in the month of January. This celebration helps to develop productive interaction of the Indian Diaspora with India. Indian Diaspora includes both the PIO (People of Indian Origin) and the NRI’s (Non Residential Indian).
The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in the year 2003 from January 9th to January 11th. Every year some aims and objectives are kept in mind to celebrate this event. The most important fact is that Productive interaction of the Diaspora with India remains the underlying aim of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
This event gives the overseas Indians, who are spread across the globe, an opportunity to get familiar. Delegates from different countries come and participate in this celebration and put forward their views on various issues
9th January is a very significant date in the history of India. It was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, then a Pravasi in South Africa, came back to india to lead the freedom struggle. The celebration therefore pays tribute to that great spirit.
The theme of this year’s event is “Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward“.
The event allows a lot of activities like conferences and policy discussions, exhibitions, food festivals and entertainment programs.
Another important feature is the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman, which is awarded by the president of India every year for outstanding contribution in the development of India.
This year this event is held from 7th January to 9th January. The venue is the famous city of Delhi. The Chief Minister of the state in which the event is scheduled to take place is also one of the dignitaries to visit the event. The President and the Prime Minister of India attend the inaugural ceremony of the program. The Bharatiya Samman Award ceremony is also constituted in this program. The award is given for the various achievements of the NRI and the PIO s.
This celebration allows India to connect with its diaspora which is spread across the globe and will no doubt focus on boosting investment and sharing of expertise.
One of the major highlight of the event this year is the first meeting of the Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council, comprising 20 top global business leaders and economists of Indian origin including Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, steel magnate L. N. Mittal and Pepsi chief Indra Nooyi.
The Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi is mainly interested in the investment promotion, sharing of knowledge and property issues relating to the expatriates.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the eighth edition of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on Friday while President Pratibha Patil will deliver her valedictory address on January 9.
Delegates from over 50 countries including top businessmen, economists, entrepreneurs and scientists will participate in the three-day event which will also see participation of 15 chief ministers and several Union ministers.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lord Khalid Hameed of Hampstead (second from right), Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi (left), and CII president Venu Srinivasan at the inaugural session of 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday expressed the hope that Indians living abroad would be able to vote in the next general elections.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on Friday said that the Centre is committed to build strong partnership with Overseas Indian Community.
The President of the republic of India left the stage to come and honour Dr Naidoo ( of South Africa) on his seat during the Sanmaan.
Dr Reddy's Journal 
A very significant event at the beginning of the year. People of Indian descent world wide feel an immense mark of respect for the long journey their ancestors embarked on when they left their homeland for various reasons and circumstances to venture out to the unknown shores to eke out a living. Today we salute these intrepid pioneers, and we in turn continue to move foreward to achieve greater goals no matter where we are. I too join the celebration with pride and respect.
Thanks for bringing /reporting this event to our attention.
Dr. D.B.Lingiah
Scotland
By: Bala D.Lingiah on January 10, 2010
at 4:19 pm
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE WILL TAKE PLACE PRAVASI 2011
THANK YOU
By: CANAGUY Antoinette on June 9, 2010
at 12:11 pm
kindly let me know the dates for Pravasi Bhartiya Divas meeting 2011 & the venue
By: Dr Lokesh Gupta on August 6, 2010
at 7:36 pm
I am interested in attending the event in 2011. Please advise re the date and other relevant details. Thank you.
By: Dr. Desta Meghoo on September 16, 2010
at 4:50 pm
The next mini Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, a conclave of the Indian diaspora, will be held in South African city of Durban from October one. The mini Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is being organised in South Africa with a view to connect with the large Indian diaspora of the country. The event coincides with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and will also be a part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indian immigrants in South Africa from India.
The theme of the two-day event will be ‘India and Africa: Building Bridges’, officials said.
The mini-PBD is is being organised in partnership with the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Government of South Africa.
Around 600 to 800 delegates from all over Africa are expected to participate in the conference.
The Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) province, the Mayor of Durban Municipality, Indian origin community leaders, prominent businessmen, dignitaries and distinguished persons from African countries will participate in the event.
Durban has historic significance because Gandhi lived there from 1893 to 1914 and first experimented with non-violence as a tool of struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
By: drreddy on September 18, 2010
at 7:16 pm
we must honour our indian brother and sisters who have left the country and taken upon themselves to take the name of the country to new heights. they also serve in their own little ways.
it must be remembered that India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!
we must all be proud of our heritage and the present- against all odds. we are where we are because of our history and tradations.
By: RISSALA POLO on January 11, 2011
at 3:53 pm
Am the chair of the Steering Committee of the Durban Indian and cultural centre-
we are in the process of reinstating the centre that was closed temporarily over the last 3 years. In the interim I am working on a global network of fellow Indians and organisations to bring the Centre in line with the emerging multi media technology.
It was a pity that the costs of attending the PBD in Durban where I live prohibitive as I, a retired professional, had to pay for the registration costs. A rare opportunity missed. It was only after the conference that it was mentioned in the press that the opening was free to the public. Can i access the proceedings in e format.
By: dr juggie pather on March 6, 2011
at 3:17 pm
Riding is all about the ultimate spiritual experience – It’s the separation of your consciousness (or soul, as some would call it) from your physical body. Yes, it’s that cool. In fact, there are theories that claim you’re already astral projecting when you sleep. Most of us just lose recollection of it when we awake. So the riding is being able to do this while being “conscious” of it. Rissala Polo Club.
By: RISSALA POLO on September 2, 2014
at 1:21 pm