High Commission of India
Kuala Lumpur

PRESS RELEASE

14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations by the
High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur

   High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur organised a function on the evening of 11th January, to mark the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre (NSCBICC). Over 100 prominent members of the Indian Diaspora in Malaysia and officers of the High Commission and NSCBICC attended the function, which was presided over by Mr.Nikhilesh Chandra Giri, Deputy High Commissioner. Earlier this month, the main function was held from January 7-9 at Bengaluru, India which saw participation from many distinguished Indian community members from all over the world. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address while Hon’ble President Shri Pranab Mukherjee presided over the Valedictory Function.

   The 14th Edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas holds special significance for Malaysia. Malaysia sent, as has been the norm on previous occasions, the largest official delegation, which included Datuk Seri Utama S. Samy Vellu, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Infrastructure for India and South Asia, Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, Health Minister, among other distinguished Ministers, federal and state legislators and community leaders, to Bengaluru to participate in the main function. Besides, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Thambirajah Muniandy, Founder and President of Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), became the sixth Malaysian to receive the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Samman Award, which was conferred by the President of India during the Valedictory Ceremony of the main function on 9th January. Earlier, four distinguished experts belonging to the Malaysian Indian Community were chosen to participate at the theme-based panel discussions, which were organised to enhance participation of the Indian Diaspora in the process of policy formulation.

   The function at the NSCBICC featured a video presentation showing highlights of the three-day main function at Bengaluru and comprised the keynote address by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, remarks of both the Malaysian Ministers and visuals of Tan Sri Thambirajah receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. Deputy High Commissioner delivered the concluding remarks.