Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention in Bhubaneswar. As part of the celebrations, PM Modi also flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train dedicated to the Indian diaspora, according to an official press release.
The train will depart from Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and will travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious significance across India over a period of three weeks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is part of the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
“Every sector in India is advancing to new heights, breaking records in renewable energy, aviation, electric mobility, metro networks, and bullet train projects. India is now manufacturing ‘Made in India’ fighter jets and transport aircraft,” PM Modi said during the event.
Importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the Government of India’s flagship event that provides a significant platform for engaging with the Indian diaspora. The 18th PBD convention is being held in collaboration with the State Government of Odisha from January 8–10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar. The theme of this year’s convention is “The Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.” Members of the Indian diaspora from more than 50 countries have registered to participate in the event.
