Photos: Role of Indians in combatting Covid across globe lauded during NRI Day

Dubai - The flagship event of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the PBD is celebrated biennially to engage and connect with overseas Indians.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General of India in Dubai celebrated the 16th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) — Non-Resident Indian Day — on Saturday, January 9.

The flagship event of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the PBD is celebrated biennially to engage and connect with overseas Indians. Though majority of the event was held in a virtual format this year, top Indian diplomats to the UAE and senior community leaders, including Indian businessmen, also celebrated the virtual event at the mission’s premises on Saturday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event and said in a virtual address: “The Indian diaspora has distinguished itself globally. During my conversations with world leaders, they have been appreciative of the Indian community in their respective nations, especially the doctors, nurses and paramedics.”

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar spoke on the importance of ‘Role of the Diaspora in Atmanirbhar Bharat’ during the live telecast. “The experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has driven home the need for more trusted, resilient, reliable and redundant supply chains. Involving the diaspora in that endeavour is natural,” he said.

“To start with, they have always been enthusiastic contributors to nation-building. Secondly, as high achievers in their own societies, they can bring to bear resources, technology, best practices and Innovations to the task. Third, they help in giving this ambitious exercise a truly global footprint,” he added.

Indian Ambassador the UAE Pavan Kapoor and Consul-General of India to Dubai Dr Aman Puri also addressed those gathered. “The Atmanirbhar campaign is an opportunity for India to emerge as a dominant player in the manufacturing sector and a significant pillar for the global supply chains in every sector,” said Dr Puri.

Winners of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians, was also announced on Saturday. Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Curacao Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath and New Zealand minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan were among 30 NRIs, and Indian-origin people and organisations who were conferred the award. No winners were selected from the UAE this year.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai