Special Feature

The government of India has declared the 9th of January every year as the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. On this day every year, the country will acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the Indian Diaspora worldwide.
The Indian Diaspora which is estimated to be 22 million strong includes first to the fifth generation Indians who emigrated from India. The Diaspora can be categorised as People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). PIOs have adopted the citizenship of another country while NRIs, who comprise a third of the total Diaspora, still carry an Indian passport. Today they account for an economic output of about $400 billion (Almost Rs 20,00,000 crore), an incredible four-fifth of India's economy.
January 9th 2003 will be the first Pravasi Bhartiya Divas with events in recognition of the day scheduled around the country.The day was chosen for the occasion as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle.