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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train designed for the Indian diaspora, on Wednesday from New Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station. The launch coincides with the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, which begins the same day in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

This train is part of an initiative to showcase India’s rich culture and heritage, targeting non-resident Indians (NRIs) from over 50 countries. During the convention, PM Modi will address attendees and highlight India’s cultural significance.

Pravasi Bharatiya Express: A unique initiative

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a state-of-the-art tourist train designed to offer a three-week-long journey to iconic destinations across India. Exclusively for the Indian diaspora aged 45 to 65 years, the train has 156 passenger seats and includes stops at religious and tourist hotspots such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Goa, and Agra.

The train’s journey is scheduled to begin on January 9, a date chosen to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915. This initiative falls under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana, a scheme by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA) in the MEA, emphasized the role of the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” connecting their host countries to India. Chatterjee highlighted that the diaspora, comprising 35.4 million people worldwide, contributes significantly to India’s global remittance.

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Odisha to host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention will feature five thematic sessions:

1. Diaspora Youth Leadership: Discussing global opportunities for young leaders.
2. Migrant Skills Stories: Showcasing success stories of Indian migrants.
3. Sustainable Development: Exploring the diaspora’s role in green initiatives.
4. Women’s Leadership: Celebrating the contributions of women in leadership.
5. Cultural Connections: Highlighting the diaspora’s ties to India’s heritage.

The convention aims to boost Odisha’s untapped tourism potential. To ensure security, over 2,700 police officers and 1,200 central personnel will manage the event in Bhubaneswar.

The last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This year’s event promises to strengthen India’s cultural and economic ties with its diaspora.