18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas & Indian Diaspora

Syllabus: GS2/ Indian Diaspora

Context

• PM Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Odisha.

About

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other. 
• Theme: “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. 

Indian Diaspora

• As of May 2024, there were around 35.42 million people of Indian origin living outside of India, making it the world’s largest diaspora. 
• This includes around 15.85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 19.57 million people of Indian origin (PIOs).
• The United States has the largest Indian population in the world, with over 5 million people.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

• PBD, also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9.
• The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.
• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated in 2003 and its format was later revised in 2015 to celebrate the event once every two years.

Who are Girmitiyas?

• The Girmitiyas were indentured laborers from British India who were transported to work on plantations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 
• Girmitiyas were sent to countries like Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, British Guiana (now Guyana), Suriname, Malaysia, and Kenya.
• The laborers signed a contract called a Girmit, which bound them to work for a single employer at a fixed wage for a fixed period of three–five years. 

Contribution of Indian Diaspora

• Cultural Diplomacy: It strengthens India’s cultural ties with the global community and promotes the richness of Indian heritage.
• Economic Contributions: The diaspora plays a critical role in remittances and investments that contribute to India’s economic growth.
  • India received $125 billion in remittances in 2023, which accounted for 3.4% of the country’s GDP. 
• Entrepreneurship: A growing number of Indian professionals are returning from abroad to establish startups in India, leveraging their international experience to drive innovation and economic growth.
• Political Influence: The Indian diaspora exerts political influence through lobbying efforts, advocating for policies that strengthen bilateral relations and benefit India’s strategic interests. 

Concluding remarks

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas highlights the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s development. 
• It strengthens global ties and reinforces India’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat,” fostering a collaborative approach for national progress and prosperity.

Source: PIB