Context: Every year Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9th to honor the significant contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India.

About the day

• The day marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, which was a pivotal moment in India’s freedom struggle.

• Gandhi's return is seen as the beginning of the movement that transformed India, and celebrating this day recognizes the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the country’s present and future.

• Role of the Diaspora: The date also highlights the role of the Indian diaspora in India’s freedom struggle and their ongoing contribution to the nation’s development in the post-independence era. The diaspora has played an integral part in sectors such as business, technology, and policy-making, contributing to India’s global stature.

• To mark this day, the tradition of celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) started in 2003. 1st PBD Convention was organised 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 is celebrated once in every two years. 

18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention – 2025

• Dates: 08-10 January 2025

• Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha

• Theme: "The Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat" (A Developed India). The theme emphasizes the critical role of the Indian diaspora in shaping a prosperous and developed India, highlighting their contributions in various domains like technology, economy, and culture.