The republic of India observes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates on 09th January. The motto of celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to celebrate the contribution of the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community towards the development of the nation. On 09th January 1915, the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, returned from South Africa to Mumbai; that’s why Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was observed on 09thJanuary. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Indian Government, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICC), the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), and the Ministry of development of the North Eastern region. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held from 7th to 9th January every other year in a selected state of India. At the events, a forum on issues that concerns the Indian diaspora is organized, and people are awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards. The concept of an overseas citizen of India/NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates was officially launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at Hyderabad on 09th January 2006.
In the year 2014 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated for NRIs in New Delhi and attended by 1500 delegates from 51 countries. In2014, the Pravasi Bharatiya awards were awarded by President Pranab Mukherjee to the people of the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community who are creating a significant impact onthe world. The 11thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in Kochi from 7thto 9th January 2013. In the 11thPravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Indo-Canada C
hamber of Commerce was the organizing partner of the event. The guest of honor of the inauguration ceremony was the President of Mauritius Rajkeshwur Purryag, and Canadian Minister Jason Kenny was the first individual of non-Indianheritage who addressed the gathering. The 16thPravasi Bharatiya Divas was held on 21stto 23rd January 2019 in the city of Varanasi.
History of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as an NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
Under the chairmanship of L.M. Singhvi, the Government of India set up a high-level committee on the Indian diaspora. The committee under L.M. Singhvi recommended celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas fro NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates. On 08th January 2002, the existing Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee received the committee report at a public function at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Immediately after receiving the report, the Prime Minister announced Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 09th January 2002. 09th January was chosen as the date to mark the return of the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, from South Africa to India in 1915.
Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest Pravasi who returned from South Africa to India on 09th January 1915 and led India’s freedom struggle and changed the life of the Indian people forever. In 2003 it came into effect, but in 2015 it was revised and decided to be celebrated once every two years. After revising, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas became a theme-based conference set up annually during the interim period. The 16thPravasi Bharatiya Divas convention was held virtually in New Delhi, and the chosen theme for the event was ‘Contributing to Aatmnirbhar Bharat.’
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was marked by special programs to recognize the contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and People of Indian Origin (PIO) to celebrate exceptional contributions in their chosen fields. It was a forum to discuss different issues and concerns of the people of the Indian diaspora. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been organized every year since the year 2003. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian industry.
NRIs in The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, although being a small country buried away along the Arabian Peninsula’s coastline, has a rich and colourful history, culture, and way of life that is genuinely unique to the area and the globe.
Although most people are only aware of the country’s recent rise and success, it has been prospering for thousands of years and is home to unique customs.
Here are some of the most fascinating facts about the UAE that will help you comprehend how vibrant this wonderful country is:
Total area: 83,600 Sq. Km
Capital (2012 Est.): Abu Dhabi, 942,000
Largest city: Dubai, 1.978 million
Monetary unit: U.A.E. dirham
Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
National name: Al-Imarat al-‘Arabiyah al-Muttahidah
Population:- 9,272,000(2022 Est.)
Currency Exchange Rate:- 1 USD equals 3.673 Emirati dirham
Abu Dhabi (Ababy), the biggest of these emirates, covers more than three-quarters of the federation’s total geographical area, is the heart of the federation’s oil economy, and shares its southern and eastern borders with Saudi Arabia. Dubai, the port city at the base of the hilly Musandam Peninsula, is the capital of the emirate of Dubai (Dubayy) and one of the region’s most important economic and financial centres, with hundreds of global firms housed in a forest of skyscrapers.
Land
In terms of area, the United Arab Emirates is somewhat smaller than Portugal. Saudi Arabia borders it on the west and south, and Oman on the east and northeast. The exact location of the country’s boundaries has been a source of controversy. Despite the fact that a 1974 secret deal between the UAE and Saudi Arabia is reported to have addressed their three border issues, the pact’s legal status remains unknown. The United Arab Emirates claims a stretch of coastline to the northwest of Qatar that Saudi Arabia asserts was given to it in the 1974 agreement.
Almost the entire nation is desert, with large sand dunes. The oasis of Lw, east of Ardah, includes some of the world’s biggest sand dunes. Al-Ain, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) east of Abu Dhabi, is home to an important oasis. The only other notable relief feature along the eastern half of the Musandam Peninsula is the northern extension of the ajar Mountains (also shared by Oman), which climb to around 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) at their highest point.
Cultural life
The cultural traditions of the United Arab Emirates are based on Islam and resonate with the rest of the Arab world, particularly the Persian Gulf republics. Islamic revival has had an influence on the federation, however Islamic observance in the emirates is often less strict than in Saudi Arabia. Despite urbanisation and the existence of a significant expatriate community, tribal identities in the UAE remain strong, and the family is still regarded as the strongest and most cohesive social unit.
Camels are an essential and intriguing aspect of UAE customs and history since they are a component of traditional UAE culture, nomadic lifestyle, and even cuisine. No trip to the UAE is complete without learning about the importance of camels in Emirati culture and history, from owning camel farms to competing in camel races and even consuming camel milk.
Economy
The economy of the federation is driven by petroleum, which is mostly produced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest of the emirates, with one of the world’s greatest concentrations of known oil reserves and a considerable contribution to the national budget. Dubai, whose economy is centred on trade rather than oil, serves as a regional commercial and financial centre and is a leader in economic diversification in the country.
One of the most well-known and popular reasons for pride for local Emirati families is the dried date fruit, which comes from indigenous palm trees in the UAE. Many families still hold huge data farms and continue to carry down the techniques for collecting and harvesting these particular dates, which have been cultivated for thousands of years.
What is Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for an NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates?
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates is one of the highest honors conferred to a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or any organization or institution established or run by a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or Person of Indian Origin (PIO). The award is awarded to the people who have made a significant contribution to understanding India in foreign countries and who supported India’s cause and concerns in a tangible way.
In the year 2021, the Government of India celebrated 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The event was organized virtually in the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases nationwide. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to honor the achievements of Non-Resident Indians around the world and is also known as Non-Resident Indian Day. It is celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community with the Indian Government and reconnect them with their roots and heritage.
Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The committee headed by Shri L.M. Singhvi also recommended that the government should renew and strengthen the linkages of the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates communities to the place of their origin and with each other. The committee recommended setting up a focal point for networking between India and these NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates communities. The place needs to be suitable, and it should be a place that could commemorate the trials, regulations, evolution, and achievements of the Indian diaspora. In the second Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee considered the recommendation and announced that the government would set up Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi.
On 09th January 2011, the foundation stone of Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was laid by the existing Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and finally, in April 2013, the construction of the Kendra was started. Recent Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra on 02nd October on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in New Delhi. The Kendra is expected to develop into a hub of activities for sustainable, symbiotic, and mutually rewarding economic, social, and cultural engagement between India, the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community, and its diaspora. Over time the government is expected to organize activities, events, seminars, and workshops about the Indian diaspora.
The museum constructed inside the Kendra will depict the history of migration of the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community and their experience and contributions to foreign countries. In the Kendra state-of-the-art auditorium, the conferences and workshops with NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates will be organized on a regular basis. The Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was renamed Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in order to tribute to the late leader.
Significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a significant event as the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community gets a platform to engage with the Indian Government and the native people of the country. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been very successful and helpful in networking among the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community residing in various parts of the world. The event enables the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community to share their experience and contributions in various fields. It is a platform that allows them to connect with their heritage, roots, and history. It is in conjunction with the return of Mahatma Gandhi, a person who inspired a lot of people all around the globe and who taught the world that you don’t need arms and weapons to bring revolution. The return of Gandhi on 09th January was recognized as an honor, and that’s why the day has great significance. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas have significantly contributed to a better understanding of India abroad.
Initiatives that are taken by the Government of India for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
Following are the initiatives that the Indian Government takes for the NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates Community: –
Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The government has launched Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to institutionalize the skill development of immigrant Indian workers residing in foreign countries. The Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana holistically prepares the candidates to confidently take up challenging assignments in various foreign countries and meets all the transnational skill requirements. This program is of great help to blue-collar workers who will get an opportunity to acquire professional skills and will be able to communicate in foreign languages. Besides this, they will also get skills in particular trades. The Ministry of External Affairs started the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana skill development initiative. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Skill Development in Entrepreneurship helped design the memorandum of understanding for implementing the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The scheme’s implementation will be done by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) with its training partners in consultation.
Know India Program (KIP) for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The government organizes the Know India Program (KIP) to familiarise the Indian-origin youth residing outside India with their Indian routes and contemporary India. The Ministry of External Affairs launches the Know India Program (KIP). It is a three-week orientation program for the diaspora youth. The program is conducted with a motive to promote awareness of the different facets of life in India and the progress that the country has made in various fields like science and technology, education, economy, industry, etc. It is a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origins. Through this program, they can visit India, share their views, expectations, and experiences, and develop close bonds with contemporary India. Under the Know India Program, the government has organized the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY), an initiative of the Indian government that provides the elder generation people of Indian origin with a chance to reconnect with their roots.
Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (VAJRA) for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (VAJRA) scheme was launched to formalize a rotation program where the top Non-Resident Indian scientists, doctors, managers, engineers, and professionals will serve Indian public sector organizations for a short period and will lend their expertise to those organizations. The Visiting Advanced Joint Research faculty is a program exclusively dedicated to academicians and overseas scientists that emphasize Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin to work as visiting faculty in Indian public-funded academic institutions for a short period of time. The motto of the scheme is to recognize the value of collaborative research and draw different perspectives to solve the shared problem. The scheme recognizes collaborative research as a crucial element for information sharing between researchers and updating and acquiring knowledge in skills. It welcomes overseas scientists to take up new challenging research problems in the Indian setting.
Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children (SPDC) for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children (SPDC) provides 100 scholarships annually to people of Indian Origin and Non-Resident Indian students for various undergraduate courses. The Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children (SPDC) was introduced in 2006-07. The program’s motto was to make higher education in Indian universities in different fields accessible to the people of Indian Origin and Non-Resident Indians. It promotes India as a center for higher studies. Under the scheme, the students of Indian origin are awarded different types of scholarship, which includes payment of tuition fees, admission fees, hostel charges, and other expenses. Besides food charges, the government pays all the charges mentioned above for undergraduate courses in engineering, humanity, technology, arts, management, journalism, commerce, liberals, agriculture, animal husbandry, and other courses.
E-Migrate for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
The Indian government launched the E-migrate system to ensure the welfare and check on the exploitation met by emigrants. It is a type of foreign employee database where the government stores all the data of foreign employees. The e-migrate system was created to regulate overseas employment specifically for less educated blue-collar workers. E-migrate is an integrated program of Passport Seva Projects (PSP), the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Bureau of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Every time an immigrant arrives at the airport or cross-checks post to proceed abroad, the passport details of the immigrant are validated online by the officers. The people who already receive the immigration clearance are allowed to travel, and the rest are restricted. It is amazing to ensure the protection against the exploitation of Indian workers. This system functions according to the control of protected general of immigrants.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Objectives for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates
Following are the objectives of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates: –
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated with the motto to connect with the for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates Community, including Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and People of Indian Origin (PIO).
It is celebrated for creating an for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates network and connecting with the younger generations.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas provides an open platform to Non-Resident Indians where they can express their vision, concerns, and perceptions about India.
It is a platform to resolve the issues that are faced by the for NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates community.
And lastly, the objective of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to honor the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) for making a profound and significant contribution to India’s nation-building exercise NRIs in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates.
Sum up
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was initiated on 09th January 2003 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The 09th January has a great significance in history as Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi came to India from South Africa on 09th January 1915. In 2015 the format of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was revised, and now it holds theme-based conferences and is celebrated once in every two years. The flagship event of the ministry of external affairs has successfully organized the 16thPravasi Bharatiya Divas since 2003.
