Bhubaneswar: "Jai Jagannath, Jai Bharat, Jai Hind" - With these words, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded his powerful address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2025 celebrations in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant moment for both the diaspora event and Odisha's cultural prominence.
In his comprehensive address, Jaishankar emphasized the crucial role of young minds in shaping India's future, particularly highlighting their contributions in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, space technology, and sports. The minister painted a picture of a new India that has successfully transformed from a "chalta hai" (it's okay) attitude to "hoga kaise nahin?" (how can it not happen?) mindset.
The choice of Odisha's capital as the venue was particularly significant, with Jaishankar dedicating special attention to the state's rich heritage. "Odisha offers a tremendous opportunity to experience personally much of what we would be discussing in the course of the PBD," he noted, emphasizing the state's unique position as a living testament to both cultural preservation and developmental progress.
The minister made a strong pitch for diaspora engagement, encouraging young Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to bring their friends to explore India's heritage. This approach, he suggested, would help in promoting India as a tourism destination, a key priority highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reflecting on India's recent achievements, Jaishankar referenced the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, Aditya L1 observatory, and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission as powerful inspirations for the youth. He also highlighted India's digital revolution, citing the massive scale of UPI transactions and the emergence of 90,000 startups and over 100 unicorns.
The minister's address underscored the government's commitment to building a "modern, inclusive and progressive society" while maintaining the balance between technology and tradition, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi. The event marked a significant step in strengthening ties with the Indian diaspora while showcasing Odisha's rich cultural heritage and development trajectory.
