PM Modi inaugurates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention-2025 ,emphasizes Diaspora’s role in transforming India in to a developed nation by 2047

By B.Maharana
Bhubaneswar, January 09
Inaugurating the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention at Bhubaneswar in Odisha Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian diaspora for serving as the nation’s “ambassadors to the world.”
Welcoming the Indian diaspora and the delegates, Prime Minister Modi said “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has become an institution to strengthen the bond between India and its diaspora”. Together we celebrate India, Indianness, our culture and progress along with connecting to our roots, he said.
He emphasized the crucial role of the Indian diaspora in transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047.
The Prime Minister commended the diaspora for its significant role in global development and their contribution to India’s growth story. He said, the Indian diaspora has excelled worldwide and their accomplishments make the country proud. Stressing the significant role of the diaspora in making local Indian products global, Shri Modi urged them to purchase “Made in India” food packets, clothes, and other items, either locally or online, and include these products in their kitchens, drawing rooms, and gifts. He remarked that this would be a substantial contribution towards building a developed India.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the role of Indian values in gaining global respect for the diaspora. He said, that in the last ten years, he met several world leaders. Every leader of the world lauds the Indian diaspora. He said, one of the main reasons for this is the social values, that the Indian diaspora embeds in the societies of the world.
The Prime Minister highlighted that over 25 crore people in India have come out of poverty in the past decade, while the nation is rapidly advancing toward becoming the third-largest economy in the world. He said the country is excelling in all sectors including renewable energy, electric mobility, fighter aircraft manufacturing, metro and bullet trains, and soon, Pravasi Bharatiya will fly back to the country in ‘Made in India’ aircraft.
The Prime Minister said, in just a few days, the Mahakumbh will start at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. He said this is a time of vibrant festivals in India, from Makarsankranti to Lohri, Pongal, and Magh Bihu.
Modi said that the presence of the Indian diaspora in the country at such a time is adding to the festive spirit of this occasion. The Prime Minister acknowledged the contributions of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in establishing the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, which has evolved into a vital platform to strengthen bonds between India and its diaspora.
Highlighting Odisha’s heritage, Prime Minister Modi said, the great land of land of Odisha reflects India’s rich legacy, with sites like the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, the Konark Temple, and ancient ports such as Tamralipti and Manikpatna. He said these treasures evoke immense pride.”At every step we could witness our heritage in Odisha. Noting that hundreds of years ago, the traders and merchants from Odisha undertook long marine voyages to places like Bali, Sumatra and Java, the Prime Minister said that Bali Yatra is celebrated even today in Odisha in its memory.
He further said that Dhauli, a significant historical site in Odisha, represented the symbol of peace. “Samrat Ashoka had chosen the path of peace here while the world was expanding empires through the power of the sword. Shri Modi urged that this legacy inspires India to tell the world that the future lies in Buddha and not in war.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi also virtually flagged off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana. Departing from Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi, the train will take Indian diaspora members to various religious and tourist destinations across the country over three weeks.
During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated several exhibitions, including promotional stalls from various ministries at the Centre and State level, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and economic prospects.
The event was attended also by Union Ministers S. Jaishankar, Jual Oram, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, among other dignitaries.
Chief Guest and President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo also virtually addressed the diaspora at the event through video conferencing.
Speaking at the event, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar emphasized that hosting the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention in Odisha reflects the Narendra Modi government’s “Poorvudaya” policy, showcasing the development and cultural richness of eastern India.
President Droupadi Murmu will attend the valedictory function of the convention tomorrow. The President will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman upon members of the Indian diaspora to recognise their achievements in various fields.