The 15th Pravas Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) was inaugurated on Tuesday, January 22 2019 by Pravind Juganauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
"Looking forward to being in beloved Kashi today for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This is an excellent forum to engage with the Indian diaspora, which is distinguishing itself all over the world," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the inauguration.
Mauritian PM wows crowd with Bhojpuri
Many foreign dignitaries speak a few Hindi words to wow crowds in India but Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth went a step further on Tuesday and broke into chaste Bhojpuri in his address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, much to the delight of the gathering.
“ Bahut bars pehle, jaun logan hiyan se Mauritius jal rahlan, aaj oo logan ki santaan ee pavitra dharti par aal howan, ja humni ki khatir ee apan aap mein aego teerthba (Many years ago, those people who had left for Mauritius, their children have come to this pure land and for them this land is pilgrimage), the visiting leader said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Jugnauth, who also spoke in Hindi several times during his address, signed off saying, Dono deshon ki gehri mitrita bani rahe (the friendship between the two countries continues).
Many of those from India who first arrived in Mauritius to work as indentured labourers were those from Bihar, speaking Bhojpuri.
Minister of State General V.K. Singh gives a vote of thanks, bring the inaugural ceremony of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to a close.
"NRIs are India’s brand ambassadors"
PM Modi also described NRIs as India’s brand ambassadors and said they were the symbols of the country’s capabilities during his inaugural speech.
“I consider NRIs India’s brand ambassadors. They are the symbols of our capacities and capabilities,” he told the gathering.
“People of Indian origin are in leadership roles in countries such as Mauritius, Portugal and Ireland,” he said.
India to issue chip based e-passport
PM Modi said work was on to issue chip-based e-passports to Indian citizens under a centralized passport system.
“Our embassies and consulates are being connected to the Passport Seva Project worldwide,” he said addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
“This will prepare a centralized system connected to the passport service for all of you,” he added. “Going one step ahead, work is on for issuing of the chip-based e-passport.”
He also said that work was on to simplify the process of issuing visas to PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards.
The government’s endeavour was to see to it that Indians were happy and safe wherever they live abroad, he said.
“In the last four-and-a-half years, more than two lakh Indians stranded in crisis situations abroad have been helped by the government and its efforts,” he said.
Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth commended India’s efforts in reaching out to the Diaspora in his keynote address. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@MEAIndia
Mauritian Premier Pravind Jugnauth, the chief guest for the three-day event, addressed the gathering.
He hailed the prime minister for India’s transformation through initiatives such as the Skill India and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao schemes.
He also praised Mr. Modi’s global stewardship in promoting clean energy and for setting up the International Solar Alliance.
Mr. Jugnauth announced that his country will hold a Bhagwad Gita Mahotsav next month and a Bhojpuri Festival next year.
Kumbh Mela
For the first time, the three-day convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade in the national capital..
The theme of this year’s convention is ‘Role of Indian diaspora in building new India’, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Organised by the External Affairs Ministry and the Uttar Pradesh government, the Indian diaspora conclave this year has over 5,000 delegates registered.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj welcomed the gathering.
