Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day 2023 (9th January)

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jan 3, 2023, 7:10

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is observed on 9th January biennially to commemorate the day when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to Mumbai, India in 1915. This day is also celebrated to highlight the contribution of the Non-Resident Indian community to the development of India. NRI Day was first celebrated in 2003 by the Republic of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated from 7th January to 9th January every year in a selected Indian city, where a forum and award ceremony is also organized. We have shared further details about this day, its history and its significance here.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is about acknowledging the contribution of the overseas Indian community in developing India. Several Indian government agencies, such as the Ministry of External Affairs, FICCI, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, and the Confederation of Indian Industries sponsor the NRI Day.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 will be held at Indore after a gap of two years. We have shared a brief overview of the day here.

Event

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day

Celebrated On

9th January (every two years)

Established By

Government of India

Established On

9th January 2000

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 Theme

“Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal”

Significance

To commemorate the return of MK Gandhi from Africa to India in 1915 and to highlight the contribution of the NRI community in developing India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 Theme

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the theme for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 will be “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal”. This theme highlights the importance of the Indian diaspora in contributing to India’s progress. Every year, a new theme is chosen for NRI Day by the Government of India.

The celebrations for NRI Day are held around the theme and the forum for the Indian diaspora is also centred around the theme. Here, we have shared some of the previous year’s themes for the day.

Previous Year’s NRI Day Themes

Check out the previous years' Pravasi Bharatiya Divas themes here -

  • 2014: “Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations”
  • 2015: "Apna Bharat, Apna Gaurav"
  • 2017: "Redefining engagement with the Indian diaspora"

NRI Day - History

The history of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas can be traced back to 2000 when the Government of India decided to celebrate 9th January as a day honouring the NRI community. The significance of 9th January as NRI Day comes from the fact that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on this day in 1915.

Although this day was officiated in 2000, it was first celebrated in 2003. Here are more details about the history of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas -

  • The Indian jurist, diplomat, and writer, L.M. Singhvi conceptualized the idea of NRI Day.
  • Subsequently, on 9th January 2002, the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee officially announced the day.
  • On 9th January 2006, the concept of OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) was introduced on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Pravasi Divas - Significance

NRI Day is a significant event that highlights the efforts of the overseas Indian community in still contributing to India’s progress. This day was established by the Government of India to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India. Eventually, Pravasi Divas evolved to celebrate the contribution of the Indian diaspora towards the development of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is also significant because it showcases the effort of the overseas Indian community in staying in touch with their roots. Mahatma Gandhi himself travelled all the way back from South Africa to India to contribute to the Indian independence struggle.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas - Venues

Every year, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held in different locations in India. Here, we have shared the details of all the previous year’s venues for NRI Day -

Year

Location

State

2023

Indore

Madhya Pradesh

2021

Virtual

Delhi

2019

Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh

2017

Bengaluru

Karnataka

2015

Gandhinagar

Gujarat

2014

New Delhi

Delhi

2013

Kochi

Kerala

2012

Jaipur

Rajasthan

2011

New Delhi

Delhi

2010

New Delhi

Delhi

2009

Chennai

Tamil Nadu

2008

New Delhi

Delhi

2007

New Delhi

Delhi

2006

Hyderabad

Telangana

2005

Mumbai

Maharashtra

2004

New Delhi

Delhi

2003

New Delhi

Delhi

How is NRI Day Celebrated?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on a national level in India. This day is celebrated biennially, with a chief guest generally arriving from overseas. Here are some of the ways in which NRI Day is celebrated -

  • Special events and programs are held to highlight the contribution of the NRI community with exceptional merit.
  • Individuals who have contributed greatly to India’s progress receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
  • On Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, awareness is also spread about the contribution of the NRI community.

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FAQs on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Q1. What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is a day commemorating the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915. Besides that, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas also highlights the efforts and contributions of the overseas Indian community in uplifting and developing India.

Q2. Where will the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 be held?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh as per the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being held after a period of two years. It was last organized in 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Q3. What is the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 theme?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 theme is “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal”. This NRI Day theme throws light on the importance of the NRI community in contributing to India’s progress. Every year, a new theme is announced by the Government of India for NRI Day.

Q4. Why is 9th January called Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?

9th January is called Pravasi Bharatiya Divas because, on that day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi travelled back from South Africa to India. So, this date is considered relevant to highlight the contribution of overseas Indians in helping develop India and to discuss their achievements.

Q5. Who is the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 chief guest?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 chief guest is Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from 8th January 2023 to 10th January 2023.