Dubai: The 12th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, which concluded in New Delhi on Thursday, an event dedicated to the millions of Indians living overseas, went relatively unnoticed by the expatriates of the UAE.
When some were made aware of what it stands for — a day dedicated to Indians overseas (Pravasiya Bharatiya in Hindi) — expatriates in the UAE wondered whether the celebration was only for prominent non-resident Indian businessmen and dignitaries.
“Isn’t our Republic Day celebration held on January 26 also called PBD?” asked Lekhraj, an assistant manager with a leading Indian supermarket chain in the UAE.
When it was explained to him that the PBD is held every year to celebrate the contributions made by the overseas Indian community in the development of India, he said: “Really, that is a good thing, but I have no idea about it. If it is for all Indians living outside India then it must be good.”
Bhavna Adnani, a housewife who has lived in the UAE for 22 years, is aware of the PBD but wondered why only influential Indians are recognised.
“I keep hearing about the PBD, but in my opinion it should recognise Indians overseas who belong to the middle class and the labour class,” she said.
“You mean to tell me that a middle-class Indian who takes time out after work to do some social work is not eligible for any recognition by the government of India?” she asked.
No faith
Deepak Das, a finance manager, said that he did not have any faith in the PBD. “The PBD should be held in places and countries where the [non-resident Indian] is living. Let the ministers come to the [non-resident Indian] to commend his or her work.”
Kishore Malani, a businessman in Bur Dubai, was not aware of the PBD.
“I don’t know what it is all about.”
Girish Hemnani, a sales executive who also did not know about it, said, “The Indian government should reach the diaspora from the grass-roots level, only then will we all be aware of what PBD is all about.
“I am surprised that it has been held annually since 2003 and I don’t known about it. People will say that I don’t read the newspapers, but that is not the case. I am a frequent traveller to India and abide by its rules and regulations. If my home country is doing something to recognise my contribution to the overseas Indian community it is good, but how many of us know about it? That is the question.”
Mitali Vira, a student from Mumbai currently on a visit to the UAE, was also not aware of the PBD.
Jayesh Joshi, who runs a popular vegetarian restaurant in Bur Dubai, has been living in the UAE for 22 years, but he has no idea what the PBD is. “Something should be done by the Government of India to make the Indian on the street working overseas aware of the PBD. It is for all of us.”