NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas being held in Indore on Monday. He released a commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayeen’ and also inaugurated the first ever digital PBD Exhibition on the theme- Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav-Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is taking place in all its glory after a gap of four years and highlighted the significance and joy of personal interaction.
Meanwhile, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan welcoming the NRIs at the event said, “It is raining nectar in Madhya Pradesh in the period of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The residents of Indore have opened the doors of their homes as well as the doors of their hearts for you (NRI). There is a great atmosphere of enthusiasm.”
“Today, the whole country is standing behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When PM Modi gave the mantra of clean India, Indore hit a six in cleanliness. When he gave the mantra of self-reliant India, the state made a roadmap for self-reliant Madhya Pradesh. PM Modi gave the mantra to make India a five trillion dollar economy, so we also made a roadmap to make Madhya Pradesh a 550 billion dollar economy,” Chouhan added.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan/ Divas is the flagship event of GoI that provides a platform to connect with overseas Indian and facilitate interaction for growth and development. The 17th PBD is being organized at Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore.
The theme for this year’s event is- Diaspora Reliable Partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal. Over 3500 members from 70 countries have registered for the flagship event. The special features of the 17th PBD include, Digital Exhibition on the contribution of diaspora freedom fighters in laying the foundation of our country, MP Village, Zero Waste Event, an exclusive day dedicated to the Youth Pravasis, visit Mahakaal and experience Bhasma Aarti, meeting previous year’s PBSA Awardees, access to State Archaeological Monuments and Museum, Networking and Communication and exploring investment opportunities in the city that has reserved its place in the first 20 cities to be developed as smart cities in India.