New Delhi [India], November 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, scheduled to be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from January 7 to 9, 2027. President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session and present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Wednesday.
The announcement came as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari jointly launched the official website for the 19th PBD Convention in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking the opening of online registrations for the event.
According to the MEA’s press release, the three-day convention will be organized in partnership with the West Bengal government and will begin with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is a flagship initiative of the Government of India that provides an important platform for engaging with the Indian diaspora worldwide. Celebrated annually on January 9, the occasion commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915.
Speaking at the website launch, Jaishankar highlighted Kolkata’s historical connection with the Indian diaspora, saying the city holds a special place in both India’s history and the history of overseas Indians.
“I am particularly pleased that Kolkata will host the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas because Kolkata occupies a very special place both in the history of India and in the history of the Indian diaspora. From here, many Indians set sail for Mauritius, Fiji, the Caribbean, and other destinations, carrying with them their languages, customs, and faith. Their journeys, often marked by sacrifice and hardship, actually laid the foundations of a global Indian presence,” Jaishankar said.
He expressed confidence that Kolkata and the people of West Bengal would extend a warm welcome to overseas Indians attending the convention.
“Kolkata is not only a city that celebrates India’s cultural heritage, but, as you can see from its history, it is also deeply connected to the making of the global Indian diaspora. I am confident that Kolkata and the people of West Bengal, under the able leadership of the Chief Minister, will extend a very warm welcome and provide a memorable experience to the overseas Indian community,” he said.
Highlighting India’s growing global profile, the external affairs minister said the country’s economic growth, development initiatives, and cultural vibrancy had attracted considerable international attention.
“I want to say today that India’s economic growth, development efforts, and cultural effervescence are now global talking points. There is tremendous interest in India, and I see this whenever I travel abroad. I have just returned from a visit to the United States and the Caribbean, and even during my meetings there, people were asking when the next PBD would be held. They were very excited to know that it was going to be held in Kolkata. Not everybody was aware of this earlier, but there is tremendous interest today,” Jaishankar added.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said the 2027 convention would provide an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora and celebrate its courage, enterprise, resilience, and achievements.
He also said the theme, “From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat,” reflected India’s efforts to strengthen civilizational, cultural, and ancestral ties with overseas Indians.
The theme celebrates the deep-rooted cultural, emotional, and civilizational bonds between the Indian diaspora and India. It also seeks to create meaningful opportunities for younger generations of overseas Indians to rediscover their roots and deepen their engagement with the country.
President Murmu will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards during the valedictory session. According to the MEA, the awards recognize exceptional contributions by members of the Indian diaspora in their respective fields and their role in strengthening India’s engagement with the global community.
Alongside the PBD website, a special Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ) Quiz was also launched to expand engagement among members of the diaspora and foreign nationals through interactive activities focused on India’s heritage, culture, art, and contemporary achievements.
The revamped quiz uses gaming technology and is available through the BharatVerse app and the website www.bkjquiz.com. The platform serves as an ongoing digital public diplomacy initiative featuring quizzes, puzzles, crosswords, word searches, and guessing games.
The special PBD quiz will run from November 11 to December 20. Winners in three categories—Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), People of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals—will be invited for a 10-day immersive tour of India and will also participate in the PBD celebrations in Kolkata.
The newly launched website, pbdindia.gov.in, will serve as a comprehensive information and facilitation platform for prospective participants, providing details about the convention, its schedule, registration procedures, accommodation, logistics, and other arrangements. (ANI)
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