Kolkata, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) conference is set to take place in Kolkata from January 7 to 9, 2027. This event is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the West Bengal state government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference, while President Droupadi Murmu will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the closing session. A special segment for youth will also be included in the program. Participants will include members of the Indian diaspora, young leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators, and various stakeholders from around the globe.
This prominent engagement event aims to build on the successes of previous editions, fostering deeper connections between Indian expatriates and their homeland while celebrating their contributions to India and the world.
Since 2003, the Ministry of External Affairs has celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas every year on January 9 to acknowledge the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s development. The date was chosen to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, marking a pivotal moment in the Indian freedom struggle.
Since 2015, the format has been revised to celebrate PBD every two years, with thematic conferences held in between, engaging Indian diaspora experts, policymakers, and stakeholders.
These conferences provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with the government and the communities of their ancestral lands for mutually beneficial activities. They also facilitate networking among Indian communities worldwide, enabling members to share their experiences across various fields.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the 18th PBD conference was held from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with a focus on the theme “Contribution of the Diaspora Community to a Developed India.” The President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, was the chief guest at the event, addressing the conference virtually. Prime Minister Modi also flagged off the inaugural journey of the special tourist train, the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, which departed from Delhi for a three-week tour of significant tourist and religious destinations in India.
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