Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year. This year also it was held for three days in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Former Prime Minister, the late Vajpayee initiated this Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It started in 2003. Since then this program is being held every year. But under the Modi government, they are doing very well.
Suresh Mangalagiri, General Secretary of UK-based BJP NRI Wing and Overseas Friends of BJP said the special features of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Speaking exclusively to Toli Velugu, he explained the main purpose of this program where he mentioned that in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on January 8. Suresh Mangalagiri said that Vajpayee Sarkar has launched Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to celebrate this occasion.
He said that this event held in 2019 was not held for two years due to the COVID crisis, adding that this year it was held in Indore. He said that NRIs from 50, 60 countries participated in this and Prime Minister Modi came and guided them. It was also explained that awards were given to expatriate Indians from 23 countries. He said that the respect for Indians in the world has increased after Modi’s government came to power at the center. He said that the whole world is looking towards India.
Suresh Mangalagiri said that people of Indian origin are becoming Prime Ministers and holding key positions in other countries. He said that an Indian has become a PM in the UK and that many CEOs of top companies are of Indian origin. He explained that Indians were earlier looked down upon but now the situation has changed. Further, he hailed PM Modi as a world leader, adding that there is a good opinion of Indians abroad and they are the ones who pay the most taxes. Suresh further mentioned that NRIs are rarely or not at all seen doing any sort of crime when compared with other foreigners in abroad countries. He explained that Indian children are ahead in education.
“Prime Minister Modi is uniting all NRIs and trying to strengthen us further. Ever since Modi came to power, we have been successfully progressing and fighting against the country’s problems. Moreover, other countries are looking at us seeking help. For example, the issue of Ukraine. On one side, there is a war, but on the other side, Modi is committed to bringing us safely to the country. At that time, many other countries also asked for help to bring their people too,” recalled Suresh Mangalagiri.
“With the decisions taken by PM Modi, the respect for the NRIs has increased in those countries. NRIs are being taken care of without any problems. In earlier days, it was quite difficult to get back the bodies of those who die abroad, it would have taken days to weeks, but now with the initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, the aftermath is processed in a smoother manner. That’s why wherever Modi goes, NRIs warmly welcome him. Indian culture is respected abroad. We are also protecting it. We are celebrating our festivals in Britain and other countries. We are now asking the UK government to declare Diwali a national holiday, the government there is positive about it,” said Suresh Mangalagiri.