By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI: BHUBANESWAR: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Monday and said Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is taking place in all its glory after a gap of four years and highlighted the significance and joy of personal interaction. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention.
Welcoming everyone on the occasion on behalf of 130 crore Indians, the Prime Minister said that the event is taking place on the land of Madhya Pradesh which is known as the heart of India and famous for the holy waters of Narmada, the greenery, the tribal culture and spirituality. The Prime Minister mentioned the recently dedicated Maha Kaal Maha Lok and hoped that dignitaries and delegates will be able to visit the sacred place. Talking about the host city, Indore, the Prime Minister said Indore is a city as well as a phase, “It is a phase that walks ahead of time while preserving its heritage.”, He also mentioned the culinary fame of Indore and its achievement in the Swachata movement.
The Prime Minister remarked that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is special in numerous ways as India completed 75 years of its independence only recently. He also informed that the first-ever digital PBD Exhibition on the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ has also been organised which brings the glorious era to the fore once again. Highlighting the significant role of Pravasi Bhartiyas in the next 25 years of the journey of Amrit Kaal, the Prime Minister stated that India’s unique global vision and its role in the global order will be strengthened by them.
Special Guests of Honour H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and H.E. Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Hon’ble President of the Republic of Suriname, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Ministers of States, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi, Shri V Muraleedharan and Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh were those present on occasion among others.
