NewzVille Desk
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha today. Welcoming all the delegates and diaspora from various parts of the world, PM Modi expressed confidence that the inauguration song would be played in the various Indian diaspora events, across the globe, in future.
He lauded the Grammy award winning artiste Ricky Kej and his team for the wonderful rendition which captured the emotions and feelings of the Indian diaspora.
“The great land of Odisha, where we have gathered, is a reflection of India’s rich heritage”, exclaimed Modi. He added that at every step we could witness our heritage in Odisha.
The Prime Minister remarked that everyone would be filled with pride when one visits the historical caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, or the magnificent Sun temple of Konark or the ancient ports of Tamralipti, Manikpatna and Palur.
Noting that hundreds of years ago, the traders and merchants from Odisha undertook long marine voyages to places like Bali, Java, and Sumatra, the Prime Minister said that Bali Yatra is celebrated even today in Odisha in its memory.
He further added that Dhauli, a significant historical site in Odisha, represented the symbol of peace.
He also noted that Samrat Ashoka had chosen the path of peace here while the world was expanding empires through the power of the sword. Prime Minister urged that this legacy inspires India to tell the world that the future lies in Buddha and not in war. Therefore, he remarked that welcoming everyone to the land of Odisha is very special for him.
The Prime Minister emphasized that he has always considered the Indian diaspora as ambassadors of India. Expressing his joy in meeting and conversing with fellow Indians around the world, he said that the love and blessings he receives from them are unforgettable and always stay with him.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian diaspora and thanking them for giving him the opportunity to hold his head high with pride on the global stage, Modi highlighted that over the past decade, he had met numerous world leaders, all of whom have praised the Indian diaspora for their social values and contributions to their respective societies.
“India is not just the mother of democracy, but democracy is an integral part of Indian life”, exclaimed the Prime Minister.
He noted that Indians naturally embrace diversity and integrate seamlessly into the societies they join, respecting local rules and traditions.
PM Modi remarked that Indians serve their host countries with honesty, contributing to their growth and prosperity, while always keeping India close to their hearts. He added that they celebrate every joy and achievement of India with great enthusiasm.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the global recognition of Indian talent, with professionals contributing to global growth through major companies. Extending his best wishes to those receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from President Droupadi Murmu, he highlighted that India will remain the world’s youngest and most skilled population for decades, meeting global skill demands.
He stressed that many countries now welcome skilled Indian youth, and the Indian government is committed to ensuring that Indians going abroad are highly skilled through continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling efforts.
Governor of Odisha Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were also present on the occasion.
