PM flags off Pravasi Bhartiya Express during the inauguration of the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar, in Odisha on January 09, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Odisha. PM Modi flags off inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special Tourist Train for the Indian diaspora.
PM Modi said Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has become an institution to strengthen the bond between India and its diaspora.
“The great land of Odisha, where we have gathered, is a reflection of India’s rich heritage”, said Modi.
PM Modi said that Samrat Ashoka had chosen the path of peace here while the world was expanding empires through the power of the sword. Modi urged that this legacy inspires India to tell the world that the future lies in Buddha and not in Yuddha (war). Therefore, he remarked that welcoming everyone to the land of Odisha is very special for him.
PM said we are not just the Mother of Democracy. On the other hand democracy is an integral part of our lives.
Modi said 21st century India is progressing at an incredible speed and scale. Today’s India not only firmly asserts its own point but also strongly amplifies the voice of the Global South.
PM also said India has the potential to fulfill the world’s demand for skilled talent.
PM Modi said, “We consider it our responsibility to help our diaspora during crisis situations, no matter where they are.”
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from 8th – 10th January 2025 in Bhubaneswar. The theme of this PBD Convention is “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention.
Prime Minister remotely flagged-off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special Tourist Train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and would travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious importance in India for a period of three weeks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
