Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, the Indian diaspora conclave, in his own parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Tuesday. The theme of the 15th PBD was the role of Indian Diaspora in Building new India.
While addressing the gathering PM Modi talked about easing both passport and visa norms, “ Our Embassies & consulates across the world are being connected with Passport Seva Project. It will prepare a centralized system for passport related services for all. Now taking a step forward, work is on to issue chip-based e-passports.”
“The government is also trying to make PIO,Visa, OCi cards linked to social security system of overseas Indians so that entire process becomes easier,”he said.
"बदलते हुए इस भारत में आप बड़ी भूमिका निभा सकते हैं।"
PM @narendramodi urging the diaspora to participate in the building of #NewIndia during the inauguration of #PBD2019 pic.twitter.com/dlMds0qEbH— Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention (@PBDConvention) January 22, 2019
Modi asked the NRIs to encourage people to visit India. He said, “In whichever part of the world you live, I request you to encourage five families around you to visit India. This will give a major boost to India’s tourism industry.”
As this year’s theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is “ Role of Indian Diaspora in Building New India.”
-Saikumar