• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government and provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Diaspora. The theme of PBD 2019 is “Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India.”
The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is being organised at Varanasi from January 21-23, 2019 in partnership with State of Uttar Pradesh. This time, the participants will also have the opportunity to participate in Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj and Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi.
On September 15, 2018 External Affairs Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh jointly inaugurated the PBD website, thus commencing the registration process for participating in the PBD 2019. The registration will be open till 10th January 2019. The registration, program and payment details are available on the PBD website (https://www.pbdindia.gov.in/en)
The entire duration of the programme spans six days – from January 21 to 26, 2019; however, participation in Kumbh Mela and witnessing Republic Day Parade is optional. The participants will have the option to choose their stay either in hotel or tented Swiss cottages in Varanasi when they register on the website. Tented accommodations will be arranged at Prayagraj near the Sangam for those who choose to attend Kumbh Mela. As number of accommodation in Prayagraj and number of tickets for Republic Day Parade are limited, these would be provided on first come first serve basis.
Transport arrangements are also being made for pick and drop to the venue and guided tours for local sightseeing in and around Varanasi and Prayagraj, including visit to Kashi Vishwanath temple and River Ganga Aarti at Varanasi. Participants will be taken to Prayagraj in Special AC Volvo coaches and taken to Delhi in Special AC trains. Arrangements are also being made for their participation in the Republic Day Parade. There will be arrangements for meals on all the 3 days of the PBD Convention. Our Diaspora participants will also experience India’s rich cultural heritage and progress and innovation through Cultural Evenings and Exhibitions that are being arranged as part of PBD 2019.
In reverence to the sentiments of the larger diaspora community to participate in Kumbh Mela and Republic Day celebrations, the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized from 21 to 23 January 2019 instead of 9th January. The Convention will be held at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. After the Convention, participants would be given the opportunity to visit Prayagraj for Kumbh Mela on 24th January, 2019 and witness the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi on 26th January 2019.
On 21st January, 2019, the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in partnership with Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports. Government of Uttar Pradesh will also organize the State PBD – 2019 on 21st January, 2019. On 22nd January, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. On 23rd January, 2019, the Valedictory Address will be delivered and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be conferred by President, Ram Nath Kovind.
On the invitation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, will be the Chief Guest of the Convention. Himanshu Gulati, Member of Parliament of Norway, will be the Special Guest and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament of New Zealand will be the Guest of Honor at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 21st January, 2019.
For more details visit at : www.pbdindia.gov.in 
