Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several other union ministers, praised the Indian diaspora residing overseas and commended their invaluable contribution to bolstering global affiliations.
"Greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. This is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Indian diaspora worldwide. Their dedication towards preserving our rich heritage and strengthening global ties is commendable. They embody the spirit of India across the globe, fostering a sense of unity and diversity," Modi wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Greetings to the vibrant Indian diaspora across the globe on #PravasiBharatiyaDivas. As ambassadors of our rich culture and values, they have made a lasting impact worldwide. Their talent and hard work have enriched the countries they reside in and been a driving force behind India's global prominence," Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also extended his greetings and posted a message on X, "On Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, greetings to the Indian Diaspora across the world. We take immense pride in your achievements. Your outstanding contributions play a crucial role in enhancing India's global standing."
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated on 9 January 2003 annually. This particular date was chosen to commemorate the iconic return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915, marking the start of his leadership in India's struggle for freedom.
Since 2015, the format of the event has undergone a significant transformation. It now incorporates biennial celebrations with theme-based conferences held in alternating years, attracting experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders from the overseas diaspora. The most recent gathering took place in 2023 in the city of Indore, in Madhya Pradesh.