See the full statement from the Indian High Commission below:
The High Commission of India in Guyana has announced that the Government of India will be hosting President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention (Indian Diaspora Day) which will be held from January 08, 2023 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
High Commissioner Dr. K J Srinivasa, in a statement, conveyed that “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas commemorates January 09 – the day when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to India in 1915.
To mark this day, the tradition of celebrating the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Indian Diaspora Day) started in 2003.
The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organized on 9 January 2003 to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. Since 2015 under a revised format, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized every 2 years. 16 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions have been organized till date. Owing to the pandemic, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was conducted in the virtual setting with the theme “Contribution to Atmanirbhar Bharat” in 2021. In 2023, the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held with the theme of “Diaspora : Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”
In a message during the website inauguration for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S Jaishankar stated that “Even during testing times of the pandemic, our Diaspora displayed great devotion and commitment towards their motherland. During the forthcoming 17th PBD Convention, the Diaspora will have the opportunity and the platform to share its ideas and sentiments about India’s future development.” He invited and urged all Diaspora brothers and sisters to visit India and participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023.
The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention programme will involve a Youth PBD Convention on 8 January 2023 for the Diaspora Youth. Hon. Ms. Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament from Australia, will be the Guest of Honour for the Youth PBD Convention which will involve active participation of all the Diaspora youth in seminars, Plenary Sessions, cultural programme etc.
The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be inaugurated on 9 January 2023 jointly by Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The programme will include a PBD inaugural session, Plenary sessions, cultural programme as well as a lunch hosted by Hon. Prime Minister of India and dinner hosted by Hon. External Affairs Minister of India. The second day deliberations will include Plenary sessions, valedictory session and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award ceremony. The Award Ceremony will be graced by Her Excellency Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon. President of the Republic of India.
The Government of India will be bestowing H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award during the ceremony. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is of Indian Diaspora origin from Uttar Pradesh/Bihar region of India and has also studied in India during 2002-2003.
It may be recalled that former Presidents of Guyana H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo and H.E. Donald Ramotar were Chief Guests of previous Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions and were bestowed with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in 2004 and 2015 respectively.
The Plenary sessions of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023 will be based on the following themes:
Plenary Session I: Role of Diaspora Youth in Innovation and New Technologies
Plenary Session II: Harnessing the Potential of Women Diaspora Entrepreneurs towards an inclusive Approach to Nation Building
Plenary Session III: Leveraging the Soft Power of India – Goodwill through Craft, Culture & Creativity
Plenary Session IV: Exploring Links between Skills and Migration Trends of Indian Workers Abroad
Plenary Session V: Role of Indian Diaspora in promoting India’s Healthcare Ecosystem in the Amrit Kaal: Vision @2047.
High Commssioner Dr. K J Srinivasa conveyed that “India and Guyana are currently strengthening their partnership in many sectors including healthcare, pharma, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, renewable energy, education, capacity building and skills development. The Pravasi Bharatiya Convention 2023 will provide a huge platform for further solidifying this relationship and will also provide opportunities to promote Guyana as an investment destination in India”
What an honour for our President. The Indian Government must appreciate him for all he is doing for his people. Do enjoy yourself Mr. President.