Bhubaneswar/New Delhi.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference started in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Wednesday. During this three-day conference, more than five thousand delegates from India and abroad will participate. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference started with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas programme.
The conference was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Meanwhile, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Prime Minister Modi has changed the thinking of the country from ‘it works’ to ‘how it will not happen’. In his address, the Foreign Minister said that the young generation has an important role in the development of India. Explaining the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the young generation, the External Affairs Minister gave the example of badminton player PV Sindhu. The Foreign Minister said that ‘Once PV Sindhu had told why PM Modi is an ideal for the youth. He had said that PM Modi has changed the country from the attitude of ‘it is working’ to thinking of ‘it can change’ and then ‘how will it not happen’. The Foreign Minister said that ‘from AI, electric vehicle technology, startups and sports to global change, the young generation is bringing big changes. Developing oneself is very complex, but when we believe that nothing is impossible then it becomes easier due to this thinking. During the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, the External Affairs Minister appealed to the members of the Indian diaspora to promote Indian tourism and to the younger generation of NRIs to visit India at regular intervals, so that they can connect with India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference is being organized in Bhubaneswar from 8-10 January.
PM Modi will attend on Thursday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference on Thursday. President Draupadi Murmu will preside over the concluding session on Friday. President Murmu will also honor members of the overseas Indian community who have achieved achievements in various fields with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo is the chief guest of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference. She will address the conference virtually. The theme of this conference is ‘Contribution of Overseas Indians to Developed India’.
Odisha tourism expected to get a boost
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said that the Odisha government is leaving no stone unturned to showcase the rich culture and heritage of the state to the NRIs from 50 countries. He said, ‘Each delegate to the conference will play the role of ambassador of Odisha tourism and we hope that the rich culture and heritage of the state will attract tourists from different countries.’
