Press Release
The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2019 from 21 to 23 January, 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government, reconnect them with their roots and celebrate their achievements and contributions. During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.
The 15th PBD Convention is being held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in association with State Government of Uttar Pradesh., as the Partner State. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Special arrangements are also being made for participation in Kumbh Mela and Republic day parade. (Participation in Khumbh Mela and witnessing of Republic Day Parade are, however, optional). The participants will have the option to choose their stay either in hotel or tented Swiss cottages in Varanasi. Tented accommodation will be arranged at Prayagraj, Allahabad for those who wish to participate in the Khumbha Mela. Accommodation at Prayagraj and tickets for Republic Day Parade are limited and will be available on first come first serve basis.
The Volvo buses are being arranged free of cost by MEA and Government of Uttar Pradesh for travel of delegates from Varanasi to Prayagraj. The arrangements for Kumbh Mela on 24th January are being made free of cost by Government of Uttar Pradesh. Special Pravasi trains are being arranged by Ministry of Railways free of cost to bring the delegates from Prayagraj to Delhi. The passes for Republic Day Parade are being arranged through Ministry of Defence and will be handed over to delegates along with the delegate kit in Varanasi. The delegates will have to make their own arrangement for stay etc. at New Delhi. The transportation arrangement will be made by MEA from Railway station to various places. The delegate will be picked up from these places to the Rajpath and after the program is over the delegates will be dropped back to these places. PBD delegates based outside India are advised to bring medical and travel insurance for the period of their stay in India.
Registration, which is open until 15 December 2018, and payment can be done in the website
www.pbdindia.gov.in. Registration fee will include meals( lunch and dinner
at the conference venue) during the conference period. For further details, please visit the website www.pbdindia.gov.in.
The High Commission would arrange to issue appropriate visa to the registered participants.
The main contact persons in Delhi and Varanasi for PBD Convention 2019 is given below:
PBD Secretariat in New Delhi
PBD 2019 Secretariat
Ministry of External Affairs
Akbar Bhawan,
New Delhi
Tel No: +91-11-24197965 [Call between 9:00 A.M. -5:30 P.M. IST]
Pretoria
26.11.2018
