Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025: Bhubaneswar Welcomes Over 4,000 NRIs from 60+ Countries

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Bhubaneswar: The highly anticipated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) conference kicked off in style in Bhubaneswar, bringing together Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from all over the world in an unprecedented gathering. The festival highlights the strong ties between the Indian diaspora and Odisha, their cultural heartland, with over 4,000 participants from more than 60 nations attending. 

An International Meeting in Odisha 

Among the countries represented at the PBD conference were the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Dubai, Mauritius, and Singapore. This platform was energised by the Odia community's increasing worldwide prominence, and members showed a strong desire to support Odisha's progress. 
This esteemed occasion is being used by the Odisha government to advertise investment prospects in fields including traditional crafts, IT, education, and tourism. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi highlighted the state's potential as a new centre for investment, with rich prospects in technology and other industries. 

Highlighting the Rich Heritage of Odisha 

In addition to its commercial value, the festival reconnects NRIs with Odisha's rich cultural legacy. Delegates had a taste of their own country through spiritual pursuits like seeing the Jagannath Temple and dining on Odia food. A number of guests proudly wore the traditional Sambalpuri saree to showcase Odisha's weaving heritage on the international scene. 
Dr. Bhagyashree, an Odia physician from the UK who has been promoting Sambalpuri sarees abroad, was one of the highlights. When she met with the British Prime Minister, she wore the famous saree, drawing attention to her efforts and highlighting Odisha's traditional pride. 

The Link Between Culinary Arts  

The event's focus also shifted to Odia food. Delights like dahi machha, machha besara, and the traditional pakhala brought back fond memories for NRIs. One American guest, Reena Pattnaik, expressed her happiness by remarking, "It feels like a homecoming." It has been such a thrill to taste these real foods after all these years. 

Talks About Investments Take Centre Stage 

Significant conversations on possible investments in Odisha were also held at the event. The concept of creating a digital university in the state was put out by Dr. Hari Krishna Maram, an NRI from the United States. He spoke with state representatives to find out how such a program may give young people in Odisha access to high-quality, reasonably priced education. 
In a similar vein, young London-based businessman Manish stated his desire to bring his IT endeavours to Odisha. His dedication to establishing an IT powerhouse in the state demonstrates why Odisha is a desirable location for IT investments. 

Enhancing Odisha's Prospects 

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has become a transforming occasion that promotes relationships, honours cultural pride, and facilitates investments. It reflects how the Indian diaspora continues to be a vital partner in India’s development journey, especially in Odisha. 
As the conference continues, it is evident that Bhubaneswar is not just hosting an event but creating a legacy of collaboration, cultural pride, and economic prosperity.