KUWAIT: Indian Embassy, Kuwait launched ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ 2023 campaign on September 29 with an event titled ‘Next Destination Indore’. ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’, dedicated to the people of Indian roots settled abroad, is celebrated every year in India on the 9th of January to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. “The day commemorates the return of the greatest Indian pravasi (expatriate) of all times, Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9th January 1915,” said Indian Ambassador Sibi George in his opening remarks.

Since 2015, PBD’s format has been revised to celebrate it once every two years and to hold theme-based conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policymakers, and stakeholders.  “The 16th PBD was held during 21–23 January 2019 at Varanasi. On January 9, 2023, our Indian diaspora across the globe will come together in Indore, one of the most beautiful cities of India,” the Ambassador said.

A folk dance event on Indian state of Madhya Pradesh

The theme of PBD 2023 is ‘Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in ‘Amrit Kaal’. Five plenary sessions on (i) Role of diaspora youth in innovation and new technologies; (ii) Harnessing the potential of women diaspora entrepreneurs towards an inclusive approach to nation building; (iii) Goodwill through craft, cuisine and creativity; (iv) Enabling global mobility of Indian workforce – Role of Indian diaspora: and (v) Trade and investment, he informed.  “I am sure that our talented and experienced diaspora in Kuwait could contribute immensely in each of these sessions. I invite our Indian community in Kuwait to plan a visit to Indore in January,” he added.

The Ambassador said, “Indore and Madhya Pradesh need no introduction. Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh with a population of over three million people. It is also ranked as 'the cleanest city in India'. It is also the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh and presents a happy blend of historical past and promises of rapid future modernization,” he said. A cultural program based on music and dance from Madhya Pradesh was presented during the event.