(Image source from: indiatoday.in)

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or Indian Diaspora Conclave in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

In his address, PM Modi paid homage to a spiritual leader and old seer of Karnataka’s Siddaganga Mutt at Tumakuru Shivkumar Swami, who passed away early at 11:44 a.m. on Monday at the age of 111.

He also paid tribute to late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who started the event for the first time.

The Prime Minister said non-resident Indians are brand ambassadors of India and they make India proud. He said, India is the fastest growing economy in the world and is in the position to lead the world in several subjects.

Related Content: All About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019, Significance and Indian Diaspora

"International Solar Alliance (ISA) is one such platform. Through this medium, we want to take the world towards ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’", he added.

This year, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth will be the Chief Guest of the Convention, while Himanshu Gulati, member of the Parliament of Norway, will be the special guest.

Additionally, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, member of Parliament of New Zealand, will be the guest of honor.

"Looking forward to being in beloved Kashi today for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This is an excellent forum to engage with the Indian diaspora, which is distinguishing itself all over the world", Modi tweeted.

Looking forward to being in beloved Kashi today for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This is an excellent forum to engage with the Indian diaspora, which is distinguishing itself all over the world. #PBD2019 @PBDConvention

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 22, 2019

The theme of this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is 'Role of Indian diaspora in building new India', according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During the inauguration, Swaraj said the Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world's perception of Indians and India.

नये भारत के निर्माण में प्रवासी भरतीयों की भूमिका।#PBD2019 के उद्घाटन समाोह की एक झलक#PravasiBharatiyaDivas #PravasiAtVaranasi pic.twitter.com/rcGmSHtlXp

— PBD Convention (@PBDConvention) January 22, 2019

For the first time, the three-day-long Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being organized from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9. The change in schedule is being done so that participants can visit the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

According to reports, President Ram Nath Kovind will address the concluding function of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 23. This year, more than 4,000 NRI delegates from about 85 countries are believed to be attending the event and many of them will be staying in the tent city.

-Sowmya Sangam