The site of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which got underway here on Wednesday, is decorated with works by renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.

Lord Jagannath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are seen in folded hands in Sudarsan Pattnaik’s sand sculptures.

“Odisha’s hosting of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a blessing. People used to question me about the Jagannath temple and Odisha’s art and culture wherever I traveled. People are now traveling here to see it for themselves, Sudarsan Pattnaik told the reporters.

“A variety of artwork and projects are on display, including my sand art. I created a sand sculpture of PM Modi and Jagannath Prabhu since it was his idea to host this event in this state,” he said.

Haider Amaan, a poet from Dubai, feels the Indian government’s effort is commendable. As India’s permanent ambassadors, we continuously promote the nation. “The sons of Bharat Mata from all over the world will come and meet at this family reunion.”

For the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, more than 3,000 representatives from 70 nations have traveled to Odisha.

Haider Amaan, a delegate from Dubai, described the gathering like a family reunion.

The Indian government’s effort is commendable. As India’s permanent ambassadors, we continuously promote the nation. The sons of Bharat Mata from all across the globe will come and meet at this family reunion,” he stated.

On the second day of the convention, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially launch the three-day event, which has as its subject “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.

The main guest for the 18th PBD will be Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, who will speak to the convention remotely.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, meanwhile, emphasized throughout the occasion how important India’s youth are to the advancement of the world.

Recalling Indian badminton star P V Sindhu, Jaishankar reflected on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relationship with the young.

“I still remember a while back an observation made by a well-known Indian badminton player, PV Sindhu, on why PM Modi is a youth icon,” he remembered her saying. He changed the country’s mindset from “chalta hai” to “badal sakta hai” to “hoga kaise nahi,” she said.

Jaishankar emphasized that breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), startups, and even sports like chess and cricket are being shaped by the younger generations.

“We have just begun our journey of Viksit Bharat in the Amrit Kaal at home, at a time when so many important developments in the world are being shaped by the younger generations – whether we talk about AI or EV, innovation or startups, cricket, chess, or any other sports,” he said. Even if growth is a very difficult endeavor, it is made simpler when we believe that nothing is insurmountable.