The High Commission of India yesterday celebrated the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) – Indian Diaspora Day – at its Swamy Vivekanand Cultural Centre in George-town.
In a press release, the High Commission noted that PBD is celebrated on the 9th of January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, “the greatest Pravasi,” returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever. PBD, it stated, is an important occasion for India to connect more closely with the Diaspora and engage them in the ongoing transformation in India while also being responsive to their aspirations and concerns.
The celebrations in Georgetown were attended by approximately 150 invitees, including Indian Diaspora members, Indian nationals and their families as well as Indian students. The key feature of the event was the interaction of the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with the Indian diaspora across the globe from the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi through a live video conference. The live streaming of the interaction with the Indian Diaspora was arranged from 8.30 am in Georgetown. During the video interaction, the Minister of External Affairs directly addressed the Indian Diaspora and interacted with the Indian community in eight selected cities; Perth, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Mauritius, London, Paramaribo and New York. It was followed by a live Question and Answer session where Dr Jaishankar responded to questions from members of the Diaspora on important Diaspora issues.
The High Commissioner of India, Dr K.J Srinivasa, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the significance of marking the PBD and the important role of Indian nationals and Diaspora in the overall development of India. He also encouraged the Indian community in Guyana to maintain regular contact with the High Commission for mutual benefit as well to partner with the High Commission “in furthering the existing friendly bilateral relations and cooperation between the Governments and people of India and Guyana.”
