AK Sharma
NEW DELHI: The 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) that ended in Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, on January 10, was a living testimony to India’s elevated status in the global community.
That it was held after India celebrated the 75th year of its Independence and is currently heading G20, the grouping of the world’s richest countries, is all the more significant. Equally significant is the presence of the heads of states of Guyana and Suriname as Special Guests and the fact that the Government was represented by the President and the Prime Minister of India.
17th PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS
The three-day event was attended by a record number of over 3,500 persons of Indian origin living in more than 70 countries abroad. The message of the convention was loud and clear: India has not only emerged as the fastest- growing economy of the world but also as a global powerhouse of knowledge and innovation.
With 18 million emigrants spread across the world, India has the largest diaspora, leading other countries by a huge margin. The second-placed Mexico has only 11.2million, followed by Russia and China.
But unlike Mexican emigrants, who mostly live in the United States, Indians are spread far and wide, right from blue-collar workers in Arab countries to students in the industrialised world.
The diaspora has come a long way in keeping India at the centre of global affairs. Indians are counted amongst the most affluent communities around the world. Be it leading the dominance in technology and development or occupying highpolitical spots across the world, the Indian community in other countries has acquired a strong voice.
