Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: 

• It is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.
• Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. 
• History: This bi-annual celebration, held on January 9th, commemorates the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle.
• The primary goals of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are:
  • To commemorate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India's development
  • To create a better understanding of India abroad
  • To support India's causes and work for the welfare of local Indian communities worldwide
  • To provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with the government and people of their ancestral land.
• These conventions have proven instrumental in fostering connections between India and its vast overseas community, enabling the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills across various fields.
• The theme for this year is the “Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

Q1: Who is known as a Person of Indian Origin?

A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of. Pakistan, Afghanistan Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal) who at any time held an Indian passport. Or. who or either of their parents/ grand parents/ great grand parents was born.

Source: PIB