Varanasi: The 15th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began in the holy city of Varanasi on Monday. Varanasi, the cultural and spiritual capital of India, is hosting the event for the first time. Over the next three days, from 21st to 23rd January, the event shall witness a galaxy of seasoned luminaries from their respective fields addressing sessions on Indian heritage and culture and visit of the NRI diaspora to renowned places of Kashi, Sarnath and Ganga Ghats among others.

The theme for PBD 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Several world leaders of Indian origin will share their insights into the role of Indian diaspora for a New India.

Youth PBD:  The opening day on 21st January will mark the Youth PBD with the focus on the generation next especially from Uttar Pradesh. The young diaspora will engage with its counterparts back home in India. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj along with UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath,  MoS sports and Youth affairs, Colonel Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore will share the dais with Member of Parliament from New Zealand Kanwal Jeet Singh Bakshi and MP from Norway Himanshu Gulati among others.

Plenary:  PM  Narendra Modi  will inaugurate the PBD on 22nd January with  the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnath as the Chief Guest.  Several plenary sessions will be held on  issues ranging from challenges and opportunities to sustainable development , artificial intelligence and cyber capacity to name a few at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Trade Facilitation Centre-TFC, the main venue of PBD at Bada Lalpur of Varanasi.  PM Modi will also host a lunch for the Heads of states and over fifty selected Pravasi Bhartiya delegates and leaders.

Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award: The Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award PSBA is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indian. It will be conferred by the President Ram Nath Kovind on 23rd January to selected NRIs, PIOs, organisation or institution established and run by the NRIs who have made significant contribution to various fields both in India and abroad.