Pravasi Bhartiya Divas- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
During the PBD, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSAs) will be conferred by the Hon’ble President at the PBD Convention as the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the Government of India in recognition of their achievements both in India and abroad. The awards will be conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or an NRI/ PIO Organization/ 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).
For details please visit the website - http://mea.gov.in/pravasi-bharatiya-divas.htm