Indian achievers based overseas to be honoured at PBD 2017

PBSA is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians

Diaspora

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December 23, 2016

/ By / Kolkata



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Press Conference in New Delhi to announce 14th PBD Convention in Bengaluru

Press Conference in New Delhi to announce 14th PBD Convention in Bengaluru

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSAs) to be conferred by the President of India at the PBD Convention on January 9, 2017, on overseas Indians will be a mark of recognition of their achievements both in India and abroad.

The 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is to be held on January 7 – 9, 2017 in Bengaluru in Karnataka with the theme of “Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora”. The Modi government has expanded the scope of the PBSA to include Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) who achieve success not just abroad but also help India’s cause by “making philanthropic investments here, doing charitable work in India or contribute to India’s development,” informed India’s Foreign Minister spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

“The addition is meant to recognise the contribution of both NRIs and PIOs including organisations to the development programmes in India, and through philanthropy for programmes in India,” Swarup said. 30 such awards will be given on a bi-annual basis now.

The awards will be conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or an NRI/PIO Organisation/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).

This award features a bilingual Sanad (certificate) under the hand and the seal of the President of India. It also includes a citation, a gold medallion and a miniature of the medallion in the form of a lapel pin.

Dr António Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal will be the Chief Guest at the event. He will participate in the inaugural session of the PBD Convention on 8 January and address the delegates.

Karnataka’s Minister for Tourism RV Deshpande said, “The Bharatiya Pravasi Divas, scheduled to be hosted from January 7 to January 9, will see close to 3,000 NRI and PIO delegates from across the world.”

“The addition ties up with the Prime Minister’s appeal to NRIs to invest in India and attract overseas funds under the Make in India initiative,” a senior government official stated, while pointing out the recent policy decision of the government to treat non-repatriable investments by NRIs, OCIs and PIOs as domestic investments and not subject them to foreign direct investment caps.

Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, Vice President of the Republic of Suriname will be the special guest at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held on January 7, 2017, in Bengaluru. He will address the young overseas Indian delegates at the inaugural session of the Youth PBD, along with Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel.

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