The 16th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will be held virtually on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
A press release issued by the MEA stated that the convention is being held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic compulsions. The theme of this year’s convention is ‘Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, a government of India’s slogan to make India self-sufficient in as much as possible by involving more and more entrepreneurs in the nation building.
According to the MEA release, “the PBD Convention will have three segments. The PBD Convention will be inaugurated by the prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and will feature a keynote address by the Chief Guest, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname. The winners of the online ‘Bharat ko Janiye’ quiz for the youth will also be announced.”
The Inaugural session will be followed by the two plenary sessions. The first plenary on ‘Role of Diaspora in Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, will feature addresses by the External Affairs Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister, while the second plenary on ‘Facing Post-COVID Challenges — Scenario in Health, Economy, Social and International Relations’, will be addressed by the Minister of Health and Minister of State for External Affairs. Both plenaries will feature panel discussions inviting eminent diaspora experts, the release said.
President Ram Nath Kovind will deliver the Valedictory address to mark the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The event will also announce the names of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees for 2020-21.