Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar on Thursday and asserted that the world now listens to India which is telling all that the future does not lie in war but in Buddha (peace).
Addressing the mega event being held in Odisha for the first time, Modi said that due to its heritage, India is able to tell the international community that the future does not lie in war but in Buddha.
A host of dignitaries including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the event at Janata Maidan In Bhubaneswar.
Welcoming the NRIs to the land of Lord Jagannath and Lingaraj, the Prime Minister said Modi highlighted Odisha’s heritage. “This land reflects India’s rich legacy, with sites like the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, the Konark Temple, and ancient ports such as Tamralipti and Manikpatna. These treasures evoke immense pride,” he said.
Asserting that India is not only the mother of democracy, but democracy is a part of people’s lives here, the PM said that the world today listens to India, which not only presents its own views strongly but also those of the Global South.
“Due to the strength of its heritage, India is able to tell the world that the future does not lie in war, but in Buddha (peace),” he said.
Modi said he has always considered the diaspora as India’s ambassador to the countries they live in. “We consider it our responsibility to help our diaspora during crisis situations no matter where they are,” he said.
The PM said the diaspora played a major role in Independence in 1947, and sought their help to make India a developed country by 2047. “In the last ten years, I met several leaders. Every leader of the world lauds the Indian diaspora. One of the main reasons for this is the social values, that you embed in the societies of the world,” he said.
He said India is not only a young country but also a country of skilled youths.
“The government is trying to ensure that whenever Indian youths go abroad, they go with skills,” Modi said, noting the demand for skilled workers across the world. The Indian diaspora has excelled worldwide and their accomplishments make us proud.
He said G20 meetings were organised in various parts of the country to give the world a first-hand experience of India’s diversity.
“We don’t have to be taught diversity because our lives run through diversity. That’s why wherever Indians go, they become part of the society of that particular place (country). We respect the rules and traditions of that country and also honestly serve that country and its society, contributing to its growth and prosperity. But at the same time, our hearts continue to beat for Bharat,” Modi said.
Modi said India is now the 5th largest economy and on track to become the 3rd soon. “Indians excel globally, and I am proud of you,” he said.
Noting that India has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty in the last ten years and has also become the 5th largest economy, he said the day is not far when Bharat will become the 3rd largest country. The entire world is witnessing the development of Bharat.
The PM asserted that India will remain a country with the world’s most young and skilled population for many decades now. India is set to fulfill the world’s demand for skilled talent India has the potential to fulfill the world’s demand for skilled talent, he said.
The theme for this year is the “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. Over 5000 delegates from over 50 countries have registered for the event.
The event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha government from January 8 to January 10. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention kicked off on Wednesday, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calling upon NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin to actively participate in the quest for a ‘viksit Bharat’.
The valedictory session on Friday will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu, who will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was introduced in 2003 under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a platform to recognise and engage with the overseas Indian community.
