Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
SAN FRANCISCO: As part of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD 2020) celebrations, the Consulate of India, San Francisco had organized a programme on 12 January at ICC, Milpitas. The event was attended by over 500 members from various parts of Bay area.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebratory day observed on January 9 by the Republic of India to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the development of India.
Consul General of India, San Francisco Ambassador Sanjay Panda, welcomed the guests and shared the importance of this day and the role of NRIs in the development of India. He started his address by mentioning there exists two India, one of 1.33 Billion living in the country and the other are 31 Million who live outside the country, yet play a significant role in the development of India.
He added PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.
These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in multiple fields.
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is observed once in every two years to increase the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and also focus on reconnecting them with their roots. Ambassador Panda said Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world’s perception of Indians and our country.
He also added that the Consulate has worked tirelessly and have reduced the complaints significantly by 80% in the last year. Amb Panda on speaking on the OCI cards said the Indian government is advising Indians under 20 years of age who hold Overseas Citizen of India or OCI cards to get them re-issued each time they reach their passport re-issued.
OCI cardholders between the age of 21 and 50 years don’t need to get the cards re-issued each time after passport renewal.
G Parthasarathy, Chancellor, Jammu Central University & former High Commissioner to Pakistan was the guest of honor at the event. Amb Sanjay Panda and G Parthasarathy answered various questions ranging from CAA, PIO, OCI cards, Kashmir etc.
