NRI Day or Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is observed on 9
January once in every two years to increase the engagement of the overseas
Indian community with the Government of India and also focus on reconnecting
them with their roots.
Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas or Non-Resident Indian Day is observed on 9 January every year
by the Union Government till 2015 and now it is celebrated once in
every two years to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the
development of India.
Why is 9th
January decided to celebrate NRI Day?
On 9th
January, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi came to India from South Africa and became the
greatest Pravasi who led India's Freedom Struggle and made India free from
British or colonial rule. He not only changed the lives of Indian's but also
created an example that if a person's dreams and desires are clear, he or she
can achieve anything. As a Non-Resident Indian or Pravasi, he is presented as a
symbol of a change and development that could bring into India.
According to the
Indian Government NRI has global exposure in terms of business and development
strategies around the world. If some opportunity is provided to them they will
contribute to the developmental process by infusing their ideas and experiences
on their motherland i.e., India.
In 2016, the
Ministry of External Affairs decided to make the event biennial and since then
it is celebrated every second year.
Some
interesting facts about PBD or NRI Day
- Most of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held at New Delhi
that is in the years 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2014.
- Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is organised outside India. To
give chance to link up those Indian Diaspora who cannot travel to India for the
main event. It has been organised in 8 different cities.
- The 2015 year marked 100 years or a century of the return of
Mahatma Gandhi. So, the 2015 celebration of PBD was a symbolic one.
- No doubt PBD plays a huge role in the development of India.
Because Diaspora Indians will share their knowledge and experiences that they
have gained from other countries.
- Usually, the Chief Host of the PBD is a Foreigner.
- With a specific theme, PBD is celebrated by the Union
Government.
- As we have discussed above also that now PBD is not an annual
event since 2015.
- At the convention of PBD, awards are given to the deserving
Indians.
- PBD's main aim is to connect the Indian Diaspora.
- PBD is celebrated as the commemoration of the return of the
Mahatma Gandhi.
Therefore, we can say that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is
celebrated to link up the Indian Diaspora to commemorate the achievements of
the individuals of Indian origin in their respective fields and also persuade
them to bring their knowledge and expertise to their motherland.