Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated every year on 9 January. This day is celebrated to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. This day also marks the homecoming of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on January 9, 1915.

Importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:

Nowadays, organizing this day is of great importance. It provides a common platform for the overseas Indian community to connect with the government and the native people of the country.
Organizing PBD is very useful in networking among the NRI community living in different parts of the world. Enables expatriates to share their experiences across different sectors.

History of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD):

That's why this day is organized on 9th January. Because on this day in the year 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi led India's freedom struggle.
Celebrating Migrant Day started in 2003. But in the year 2015, it was revised and now it was decided to celebrate it every two years. That is, the PBD conference is organized every two years.
The 17th PBD Conference will be organized in 2023 and the 18th PBD Conference will be organized in the year 2025. No Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be organized in 2024.
It was then a theme-based conference held each year during the interim period.
The 17th PBD conference was scheduled to be held in 2023. The theme of the 17th PBD Conference 2023 was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal”.
The 17th PBD Conference 2023 was organized from 8 to 10 January in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The 16th PBD conference was held in 2021. Its theme was "Contribution to Self-reliant India".
The 18th PBD Conference will be organized in the year 2025. Its theme will also be decided on this occasion.

Organizer of PBD Conference:

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a major program of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is organized in different cities to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award:

On this occasion, the government also confers the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. These have made a significant contribution to a better understanding of India in foreign countries.
It is the highest honour given to an organization/institution established and run by a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO).
This award is given to them for their excellent work in various fields of society. Under this:
- Education
- Science and Technology
- Art and Culture
- Social Work
- Public Service
- Trade and Industry
- Given to recognize the achievements and contributions of NRIs and PIOs in various fields like philanthropy etc.
The awards were started in 2003 by the Government of India.