This year’s PBD Convention holds significance as it is being organized as a physical event after a gap of four years
Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Saturday arrived in India on an eight-day visit; he will be the Special Guest of Honour during the opening session of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention on January 9 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.



During his visit, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.



Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is a crucial forum for connecting and engaging with Indians living abroad and facilitating communication among the diaspora.



The event will be officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9. In addition, a special town hall will be hosted in recognition of India's ongoing G20 presidency on the same day.



President Droupadi Murmu will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 and preside over the closing session on January 10.



Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Indian government. It provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians and to enable the diaspora to interact with each other.



The forthcoming 17th PBD Convention also holds significance as it is being organized as a physical event after a gap of four years and first after the onset of Covid-19 pandemic. The last PBD Convention in 2021 was held virtually during the pandemic.



It is being organized in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh government from January 8-10, 2023 in Indore. The theme of this PBD Convention is “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal.”



Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Friday.



On January 8, the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports.



Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia, will be the Guest of Honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.



PVD Convention will also be addressed by Chief Guest Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Cooperative Republic of Guyana.



A commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ will be released to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly, and skilled migration.