At the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Indian diaspora are the brand ambassadors of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people say Indore is a city but “I say Indore is a ‘Daur’ (age) which walks ahead of time”. He said that Indore, being ahead of time, carries heritage along with it.
Prime Minister Modi said that all Indian diasporas are ‘Rashtradoots’ (brand ambassadors of India). “You are brand ambassadors of India, brand ambassadors of Yoga and Ayurveda, brand ambassadors of India’s cottage and handicrafts and India’s millets”, he said.
PM Modi requested the chief guests to take with them some millet products from India mentioning that the UN has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
The PM said that Pravasi Bharatiyas (NRIs) have a significant place in India’s journey in the ‘Amrit Kaal.’ He said, “This Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is special in many ways. We celebrated 75 years of India’s independence just a few months ago. An exhibition of the freedom struggle has been organised here. The nation has entered the Amrit Kaal. India’s global vision will be strengthened.”
Speaking on India’s presence on the global stage, the PM said, “Today India is being looked at with hope and curiosity. India’s voice is being heard on the global stage…India is also the host for this year’s G20. We do not want to make it only a diplomatic event, but an event of people’s participation.”
He also emphasised on the strength of India’s youth. He said, “India not only has the capability of becoming a knowledge centre but also a skilled capital. Our youth has skills, values, honesty and determination toward work. Our skilled capital can become the world’s growth engine.”
PM Modi also released a commemorative postal stamp titled ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ to emphasise the need for safe, legal, orderly, and skilled migration.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India. It provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians and to enable the diaspora to interact with each other.
The Chief Guest, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Special Guest of Honor, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, spoke at the inaugural event.
The convention has been divided into three segments. The Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was inaugurated in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Sunday. Australian MP Zaneta Mascarenhas, was the Guest of Honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
President Droupadi Murmu, On January 10 will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 and preside over the Valedictory Session. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are conferred to select Indian diaspora members to recognise their achievements and honour their contributions to various fields, both in India and abroad.
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