Bhubaneswar: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar highlighted Odisha’s potential as a cultural and developmental hub, emphasising its religious and archaeological sites as living testimonies to India’s civilisation and progress as 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention commenced in Bhubaneswar with the inauguration of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Wednesday.
“This state offers a tremendous opportunity to experience personally much of what we would be discussing in the course of the PBD. Its cultural festivals and religious and archaeological sites are a reminder of why we in India consider ourselves to be a civilizational society,” he said in his address.
The EAM further stated that it is customary to hold a conclave of the younger generation of the Indian diaspora as a part of the celebrations to recognise the special contributions that young minds make, at home and abroad. “At home, we have just started our journey towards Viksit Bharat in the Amrit Kaal. This is an endeavour that is very much about the future generation,” he said, while highlighting the crucial role of youth in shaping India’s future.
He emphasised how young minds are driving developments across various sectors, from artificial intelligence to space technology. “Whether we talk of AI or electric vehicles, innovation or startups, space or drones, sports, chess, cricket, there is all the more reason to recognise the special contribution of young minds,” he said.
Referring to the statement of badminton star, P V Sindhu, Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a youth icon who moved our nation from chalta hai’ (it’s okay) to ‘badal sakta hai’ (can transform), ‘hoga kaisee nahin’ (why cannot it happen).
He urged the delegates to promote India as a preferred tourism destination abroad. “If young Indian PIOs bring their equally young friends from abroad to explore this uniquely rich and diverse heritage and culture, this will surely become a lifelong memory for them,” he stated.
The EAM also spoke about India’s “resilience’ during COVID-19 pandemic and how it emerged as a global supplier of vaccines amid predictions that it would go down. He also noted India’s growing prowess in the space sector and digital technology, citing the scale of UPI transactions and the presence of 90,000 startups and over 100 unicorns.
He further highlighted the governments several public welfare schemes, including ‘Beti Bachao’ and ‘Swachh Bharat’, and expressed satisfaction over the growing popularity of the Know India Programme and Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz among the diaspora.
Jaishankar concluded by reinforcing India’s commitment to building a modern, inclusive society while advancing on the “two legs of technology and tradition,” as envisioned by the PM.
Later at the joint business session, he also highlighted Odisha’s potential in 3Ts – trade, technology and tourism – that makes it an excellent investment destination.
The MEA said that Odisha plays a crucial part in the ‘Look East’ policy of the government, which has a historic origin from the state’s Bali Jatra since the connection to SouthEast Asia actually started here.
He lauded Odisha’s rich natural and cultural advantages, which position the state as a hub for global trade, a fertile ground for technological innovations, and a premier tourism destination. He emphasised the state’s role in aligning with India’s broader vision of economic and technological self-reliance, urging stakeholders to leverage Odisha’s competitive strengths to enhance global trade partnerships and promote innovation-led growth. “Those who will invest in tourism in the state are actually contributing to the inclusive growth of the state in a very powerful way apart from their own growth,” he added
Stating that potential for trade in Odisha is really enormous as it has a talented pool of workforce, Jaishankar hoped that many of them (NRIs) will come back to the state again and again and their confidence in the Odisha government will translate into business proposals and investment decisions.
