President Murmu attends Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award ceremony in Odisha

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday arrived at Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar to grace the valedictory session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention and present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

Accompanying the President were External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The event aims to honour the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s progress and global image.

The President’s Secretariat, in an official statement, highlighted the importance of the occasion, stating, “On January 10, the President will grace the valedictory session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention and present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared his enthusiasm on social media, writing, “Honored to receive President Droupadi Murmu today at the #PravasiBharatiyaDivas2025 Convention in Odisha.”

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, the Government of India’s flagship event, fosters engagement between India and its diaspora. This year’s theme, “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat,” underscores the vital role of the Indian diaspora in India’s vision for 2047. Held in collaboration with the Odisha government from January 8 to 10, the convention attracted participants from over 50 countries.

Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant, emphasized the importance of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, which recognizes the achievements of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Speaking about the diaspora’s pivotal role, he said, “This award is both a recognition of their accomplishments and a call to stay connected to their roots.”

Kumar highlighted how the Indian diaspora can act as a bridge between India and the world, contributing to the country’s economic and geopolitical ambitions. “In the last 10-15 years, India’s role on the global stage has grown significantly, and Indians abroad have a unique opportunity to be a part of this growth story,” he added.

Notably, Ravi Kumar, along with 27 other individuals from diverse fields such as technology, business, art, and culture, will be honored with the prestigious award by President Murmu.

(Inputs from ANI)