Embassy of India, Lisbon, Portugal : Pravasi Bhartiya Divas

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in 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 conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

The 15th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held on 7 – 9 January 2017 in Bengaluru (Karnataka). As in previous years, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSAs) will be conferred by the Hon’ble President at the PBD Convention on 9 January 2017 as the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the Government of India in recognition of their achievements both in India and abroad. The awards will be conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or an NRI/ PIO Organization/ Institution, who have made a significant contribution in any of the following fields:

Better understanding abroad of India;
Support to India’s causes and concerns in a tangible way;
Building closer links between India, the overseas Indian community and their country of residence;
Social and humanitarian causes in India or abroad;
Welfare of the local Indian community;
Philanthropic and charitable work;
Eminence in one’s field or outstanding work, which has enhanced India’s prestige in the country of residence; or
Eminence in skills which has enhanced India’s prestige in that country (for non-professional workers).