‘Living Bridge Between India and the World’: EAM Jaishankar Launches Website for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday described the Indian diaspora as a "living bridge between India and the world" while launching the website for the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), scheduled to be held in Kolkata from January 7 to 9, 2027.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also present at the launch in New Delhi. The event will be organised in collaboration with the West Bengal government.

"The Indian diaspora, thereby, serves as a living bridge between India and the world. It contributes to global exchange of ideas, of knowledge, innovation, culture, and enterprise," Jaishankar said.

KOLKATA TO HOST 2027 EDITION

Announcing the dates and venue, Jaishankar said the three-day event would take place in Kolkata from January 7 to 9 next year. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed around January 9 to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on that date in 1915.

Jaishankar said the convention provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements of overseas Indians and their contributions to the countries where they live, as well as to India.

Describing the diaspora's journey across generations, he said Indians who travelled abroad in search of opportunities had built a global presence through enterprise, resilience and achievement. The community today includes entrepreneurs, academics, professionals, innovators and community leaders who continue to maintain their connections with India.

"The diaspora is not merely connected to India through its past; it is also an integral part of India's present, and an important stakeholder of India's future," he said.

'FROM ROOTS TO RETURN' THEME

The theme for the 19th edition is 'From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat'. Jaishankar said it was intended to strengthen the cultural, civilizational and ancestral links of overseas Indians with the country.

He said the theme would particularly encourage younger generations of the diaspora to rediscover their heritage, understand contemporary India and develop a stronger connection with the land of their ancestors.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Jaishankar said the diaspora would have an increasingly important role in India's development. He added that expanding opportunities within the country could encourage overseas Indians to collaborate, reconnect and contribute to its growth.

"The 19th PBD will be an opportunity not just to celebrate our shared heritage, but also to renew a partnership for the future," he said.

KOLKATA'S HISTORICAL LINKS WITH THE DIASPORA

Welcoming Kolkata as the host city, Jaishankar said the city held an important place in both India's history and the history of overseas Indian communities.

He recalled how many Indians had left from Kolkata for destinations including Mauritius, Fiji and the Caribbean, carrying their languages, customs and religious traditions with them. Their journeys, often marked by hardship and sacrifice, helped establish Indian communities across the world, he said.

AI-ENABLED QUIZ AND 10-DAY INDIA TOUR

Jaishankar also announced the launch of a special Bharat Ko Janiye quiz for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas through an AI-enabled public diplomacy platform. The quiz will run for more than a month, and winners will be invited on a 10-day tour of India.

The platform will also host games, quizzes on special occasions, crosswords and puzzles throughout the year. Jaishankar invited members of the diaspora to participate in these activities.

The newly launched PBD website will serve as a single information point for participants, providing details about the convention programme, logistical arrangements, advisories and places of interest in and around Kolkata.

With inputs from ANI