Last Updated on November 11, 2026 11:43 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention will be held from 7 to 9th January next year in Kolkata. The theme is “Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat”. The Convention will be organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the State Government of West Bengal.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari today launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas website in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr Jaishankar said the Indian diaspora serves as a living bridge between the country and the world. He said the diaspora is not merely connected to India through its past, but it is also an important stakeholder in India’s future. He highlighted that India’s economic growth is today a global talking point. He further stated that the Convention will provide an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the countries they reside in and to India. He added that the theme reflects the endeavour to deepen connection with their ancestral roots.
In his address, Chief Minister of West Bengal said that it is an honour that West Bengal has been selected by the External Affairs Ministry to organise this event. He said preparation is underway in mission mode. He invited delegates to experience Bengal’s cultural heritage and hospitality.
The three-day Convention will commence with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Convention. President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the Valedictory Session and confer the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
The launch of the PBD website – pbdindia.gov.in – marks the commencement of online registrations for participation in the Convention. The website will serve as a comprehensive information and facilitation platform for prospective participants, providing details of the Convention, its programme, registration procedures, accommodation, logistics and other relevant arrangements to facilitate their participation.
Along with the PBD website, a PBD Special Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz was also launched. The revamped Quiz leverages the latest gaming technology to expand its reach among the diaspora and foreigners. The BKJ Quiz is available on the BharatVerse App and website www.bkjquiz.com. The PBD Special Quiz will run from today to 20th December.
The event will bring together Indian diaspora members, young diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators and other stakeholders from across the world. It is the flagship event of the Government that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other. Pravasi Bahratiya Diwas is celebrated on 9th January commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915.