Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday 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.
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 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."
PM Modi also emphasised on strength of India's youth. He said, "India not only has the capability of becoming a knowledge center 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."
Prime Minister Modi made the remark at the inauguration of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention 2023 in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. PM Modi also released a commemorative postal stamp titled 'Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen' to emphasise the need of safe, legal, orderly, and skilled migration.
The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being organised in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh government from January 8 to 10, 2023 in Indore. The theme of this year's PBD Convention is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention.
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 inaugural event featured addresses by the Chief Guest, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Special Guest of Honour, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname.
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.
On January 10, President Droupadi Murmu 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.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference was conducted virtually in 2021. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed on January 9 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in Mumbai from South Africa on that date in 1915.
Check The Schedule Of The Last And Day 3 Of The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Here