Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated with enthusiasm across India and in several countries on Thursday, with events organised by Indian missions worldwide to honour the contributions of the Indian diaspora. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to Indians living overseas, describing them as a strong bridge between India and the world.
Indian missions marked the day through cultural and interactive programmes. India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva hosted a large gathering of people of Indian origin. In China, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai focused on promoting Indian entrepreneurship. Consul General Pratik Mathur visited Hangzhou’s tourism facilities and emerging AI hub, where he interacted with Indian community members and diaspora youth leaders working in next-generation AI startups, praising their role in building “Made in India, Made for the World” solutions.
The Indian Embassy in Bhutan said the day was an opportunity to renew bonds and recognise the diaspora’s contribution to national development. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also greeted nearly 35 million NRIs and people of Indian origin, lauding their role in strengthening India’s global presence. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa on January 9, 1915, and honours the global Indian community’s role in India’s growth. According to Reserve Bank of India, remittances from overseas Indians touched around USD 130 billion, contributing over three per cent to India’s GDP.