Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said all arrangements have been made for the upcoming “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas”

Bhubaneswar: Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, the Director General of Odishan Police (DGP), said that all preparations have been completed for the next Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), which is scheduled to occur in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10.

Under the direction of the police commissioner, an adequate number of officers and troops, including members of the Central Armed Police troops (CAPF), have been deployed.

DGP Khurania told ANI on Sunday: “As you are aware, Bhubaneswar is celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas from January 8 to January 10. All necessary preparations have been taken for this. We have meticulously planned the location, the VVIPs’ lodging, and the people who would be in Bhubaneswar at that time from a security perspective.”

“Police Commissioner Bhubaneswar now has access to a significant number of policemen and personnel, including the CAPF, that have been mobilized… All relevant departments have received the necessary directives,” Khurania told ANI.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8–10, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Monday.

The subject will be the focus of a significant project by the Indian government, “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat,” which seeks to honor and deepen the ties between India and its Indian diaspora living abroad, according to a statement from a MEA official.

This yearly occasion provides a forum for recognizing the contributions made by the Indian diaspora to the development and prosperity of the nation.

PBD, which was first observed in 2003, honors the contribution that Indians living abroad have made to the social and economic advancement of India. January 9th is an important day since it marked a turning moment in the Indian liberation struggle when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 after his stay in South Africa. Since then, PBD has developed into a biannual gathering that brings together stakeholders, diaspora specialists, and policymakers to debate India’s growth and the role of the diaspora in it.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), which honors people and organizations that have made noteworthy achievements in areas including social work, humanitarian endeavors, and raising India’s profile internationally, is one of the event’s highlights.

In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of the Indian diaspora, 296 PBSA awards have been given out as of the 17th PBD Convention. Additionally, the convention offers the Indian government and its foreign nationals a rare chance to communicate on issues impacting the diaspora, such as community welfare, investment possibilities, and visa requirements.

It also highlights India’s potential as a center for cooperation, innovation, and investment, enticing Indians living abroad to support the country’s growth.

With 19.5 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 15.8 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the Indian diaspora, which now numbers over 35.4 million, is one of the biggest suppliers of remittances in the world. With more than 2 million PIOs in the US and more than 3.5 million NRIs in the UAE, these two countries are home to the greatest populations of the Indian diaspora.

These international communities still have a significant impact on India’s economy, demonstrating the value of international-Indian relations.

PBD has been organized in collaboration with state governments in recent years, which has helped to draw attention to each state’s advantages and draw in investment. This strategy was shown during the 15th PBD Convention, which was organized in Varanasi in 2019 in cooperation with Uttar Pradesh and brought the state’s potential to the notice of the world.

The 16th Convention was conducted digitally after the epidemic, and the 17th Convention, which took place in Indore in 2023, signaled a return to face-to-face meetings. With the theme “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal,” the 17th Convention drew together more than 3,500 diaspora members.