Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) or Non Resident Indian (NRI) Day is an important day which marks the contribution of those persons of Indian origin towards the growth and development of India. This event held every year, with maiden celebrating by the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, aimed at interacting with the Non-resident Indian citizens and also honouring their accomplishments.
The history of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas goes back to January 9, 2003, when it was celebrated for the first time, in order to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi in India from South Africa in 1915. This day reminds us of the great Pravasi who led India's freedom struggle and changed the course of Indian history. Consequently, PBD has been observed annually on the 9th of January with an objective of refurbishing the connection of overseas Indian with the government of India and their homeland.
The event is held annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with FICCI, CII and other agencies. The event usually comprises of things like shows, dances, and Drama, foods, clothes, business, and common concerns affecting the Indians living in the host country. Networking opportunities also exist, in addition to opportunities for identifying new business opportunities within India itself.
It is also very important to note that during Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards” are presented by the President of India. These awards are given to NRIs, PIOs and organizations associated with them and engaged in business, education, healthcare and social activity sectors. The awards serve as a token and appreciation of their efforts to improve the image of India in onerous international forums and to strengthen the bilateral relation between India and their current countries.
This new momentum has added a new dimension to Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas ever after getting involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His speeches also do make quite often towards drawing the attention of India to the over 30 million strong NRIs (Non Resident Indians) and their potential for the growth of the country. PM Modi has always spoken about the government’s efforts to bring PIOs and NRIs closer to the country; schemes like Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – the scheme for skill development of Indian youth through overseas placements and Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz – the quiz competition targeting young generations of PIOs and NRIs to make them understand more about India.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas has in recent years also tried to confront most issues concerning the Indian emigrants such as those to do with consular, investment, and social security. This event has enabled the Indian government to sit back and take a closer look at issues troubling the diaspora and seek how to right those wrongs. This has resulted in several provisions enacted to make it easier for them to do business within their home country, for example simplification of visa procedures as well as a launch of diaspora engagement portal.
Another aspect of equal importance is the cultural facet of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. The cultural programme includes dance and music performances by legendary artists; traditional art and craft fair and food bazaar. But it also assists and encourages the protection and advancement of Indian culture amongst the new generation immigrants as well as makes them proud to be immigrants.
The Government of India recognizes the significant contributions of its diaspora, which is spread across the globe, and categorizes overseas Indians into three primary groups: For ease of understanding the terms, which constitute a significant section of the target audience are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). For each category, there are certain set criteria, rights and privileges that form part of the grant in view of the heterogeneous character of the Indian diaspora.
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) means an Indian citizen who has voluntarily acquired and holds an Indian passport and has gone to another country for living there for employment, business or any other reason, under an intention of living in that other country indefinitely. Most privileges enjoyed by NRIs come close to those of citizens, including the right to vote, purchase/own property in India and invest in the Indian financial systems. They also enjoy the services of Indian banking which has opened special accounts for them called the Non-Resident External or NRE, Non-Resident Ordinary or NRO accounts to enable them to carry out transactions in their home country and freely invest in India.
Person of Indian Origin (PIO)
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are those people who are not Indian citizens, but they had an Indian origin. By general definition, a PIO is a foreign citizen, with the exception of a citizen of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, or Nepal; though he/she did, at any point in time hold or was provided Indian citizenship. The PIO card scheme had several advantages and convenience were granted visa-less entry to India and was given almost all the rights and privileges of an NRI. However, this PIO card was combined with the OCI card from January 2015, and the holders of the PIO card are treated as the holders of the OCI card.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs)
OCIs or Overseas Citizen of India is a person of Indian origin holding the nationality of another country but was granted permission by the government of India to certain privileges. The OCI card is also known as lifetime visa and provides for multiple entries and long term stay in India. OCIs have some liberties including the right to enter, work, study and live in India on a separate visa. However they cannot vote, stand for an election/political office, or own/lease agricultural land.
Key Differences and Benefits
Although, NRIs are those Indians living in other countries, PIOs and OCIs are people of Indian origin living in foreign countries. The OCI card is now a predominant identification for the latter category extending great utility while holding their foreign citizenship. The government has made provisions easier for the holder to get the OCI cards to keep the Indians connected with the motherland.
How Indian diaspora does aid the Indian economy?
The Indians abroad are amongst the largest and most diverse; the community’s net contribution towards the growth of the Indian economy has for long been appreciable. This is a global community comprises of NRIs and PIOs and is multi-generational. These multiple roles include but are not limited to, sending home remittances, investing, transferring knowledge, and marketing India globally.
Remittances
The remittances constitute one of the most unmistakable ways that the Indian diaspora impacts the economy. They are also known as money transfer where an immigrant transfers or sends money back to his home country. Remittance receipts in India have always been among the highest in the world of such net fund flows. For India, the World Bank has stated that the country got remittance of over $80 billion in the year 2020, thus playing an important role in the upkeep of the households and also in encouraging many an economic activity especially at rural level. These funds are given to education, health, housing and some basic service delivery so that the lives of millions of families are enhanced.
Business ventures and investments
The Indians also directly invest in the economy in the different potential areas. NRIs and PIOs can participate in the purchase, sale and holding of immovable properties and in buying/selling of shares and securities in India. Also, most diaspora members have engaged themselves in business and entrepreneurship in India that has attracted foreign capital, besides creating employment. Some of the government existing schemes, for example, Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card help in these investments by offering some incentives and cutting down on much of the formalities.
Knowledge transfer and skills development
The diaspora contribution is not only in the financial front but also in knowledge and skills impartation. India is home to a large diaspora and many of the Indian diaspora population is placed in leadership positions in various sectors of academics, research, technology, medical and other sectors across the globe. They import important understanding, skill, and innovation to India. The diaspora skills in relations to collaborations, partnerships, and exchange programs contribute to build up the skill visage of the Indian workforce, creativity and competitiveness of India’s economy.
Building a Better Image Globally
Due to their large numbers and influence, people of Indian origin act as India’s apostles in foreign nations, exhibiting its positives to the world. They contribute to improving many fields and hence, improve India’s image and strengthen the relations between India and the countries they are in. It also plays a role in advertising the country to foreign investors, tourists and partners worldwide. Such occasions as the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas are quite useful for the diaspora as they encourage both the migrants and the country they emigrated from.
Philanthropy and social impact
The charitable actions of the people of Indian origin have also contributed a lot to the economy and culture. Most of them engage in humanitarian activities and donate to funds for charitable organizations, for educational, medical and other social purposes in India. These they do, to an extent that they contribute to solving some of the world’s most fundamental challenges like poverty, illiteracy and health sector inequality hence promoting the sustainable development.
Policy advocacy and representation
A crucial role is played by the Indian diaspora is this aspect. They involve themselves in policymaking processes and sit in forums, which shape the economy of India and the diaspora. Their advocacy has provoked formulation of friendly diaspora policies including visa, investment and social security that enhances engagement and contribution in the Indian economy.
Cultural Exchange and Soft Power
The influence of the created culture of the Indian diaspora and its communication with the administrations of the hosting countries has also brought stability in the economy. In provoking India’s citizens abroad to observe festivals, cultural events, and participate actively in the promotion of Indian arts, food, traditions, the Diaspora multiplies the country’s soft power. This cultural influence come handy in the process of developing enhanced diplomacy with other countries so as to come up with better understanding and cooperation in the economic front.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)
The recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) include Indian-origin professionals, workers, managers, business or industrialists, academicians, artists, social workers, etc., resident outside India and any organisation or institution established by them. The prizes were initiated in 2003 to reward outstanding acts of excellence and deserving activities and undertakings of the Persons of Indian origin in different fields and help them feel more associated with India.
Objectives and Significance
Hence the primary social purpose of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is to honour and appreciate them. It awards those people and organizations who have positively contributed to improve the image of India and have helped in improving the relations between India and their host country and also in uplifting the standards of the India diaspora in foreign lands. The award also recognizes individuals that have ventured in different areas of life inclusive of business, learning institution, health, art and culture, charity, and government among others.
Selection Process
The PBSA selection process is transparent and the steps followed in the process are explained well. Nominations are invited from Indian missions and posts abroad, as well as from prominent members of the Indian community. The jury awards committee which is constituted with members of juries finalizes the nominations for the awards under the chairmanship of the VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA. The committee looks into the accomplishments of the nominee pedagogical and professional accomplishments as well as their contributions to the Indian society and to India in general.
Categories and Criteria
To make sure the PBSA does cover and appreciate various categories of the Non-Resident Indians” contributions, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award cover a diverse field. These categories include:
- Business and Entrepreneurship: To acknowledge successful business enterprises and entrepreneurship entries, that has made positive contributions to the economy.
- Education and Research: To celebrates achievements in and service to academia and research for the promotion of knowledge and creation.
- Philanthropy and Community Service: Recognising the effort towards charitable activities and social service that has enhanced the standard living of people.
- Arts and Culture: Honouring devotion to the cause of popularizing and preserving Indian art and culture.
- Public Service: Annual award given to distinguished members of society, organisations, institutions and professionals involved in civil service, government and development at large.
Award Ceremony
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) conference which takes place each January nine. The President of India confers the awards in a grand ceremony, which is attended by dignitaries, awardees, and members of the Indian diaspora. In their appreciation, the awardees are awarded a medal, and citation, a certificate is also awarded to the winners.
Impact and Legacy
The award blends core significance in the relations of India and its overseas community, regarding the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. From this aspect, the award encourages the diaspora to embrace the value of overseas Indians as it generates a sort of pride embrace among the diaspora community. It also motivates others to come forward and be a part of each one of India’s developmental and enhancement initiatives.