In an exclusive function, Indian embassy in Kuwait celebrated 15th Pravasi Bharatiya divas at the Indian Embassy on 9th January 2019. In a gesture of respecting over a million Indian community living in Kuwait, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Sri K Jeeva Sagar felicitated senior community members including Sri SK Wadhavan of samara Auto parts, Sri Kuldeep Singh Lamba of Al Mailam Group of companies, Sri Dheeraj Oberoi of KITCO and Sri K G Abraham of NBTC and Mr Adeeb Suhaiber. The chief guest of the Day, British Ambassador to Kuwait and South African Ambassador to Kuwait honoured the senior Indians with a shawl.
The event to mark the Pravasi Bharatiya divas was attended by large number of Ambassador of various countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, Kuwaiti dignitaries, diplomats and number of Indian expatriates.
"By honouring the senior most Indians in Kuwait, we are honouring the presence of over a million Indian community living peacefully in this country," Ambassador Sri K Jeeva Sagar said. 'Indians are preferred by Kuwait because of their hardworking and law abiding nature. It is our responsibility to reciprocate the love and affection of this country without our sincere work, he said.
The even started with rendering of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite song by Harini Mahadevan. Famous Kuwaiti Singer Mubarak Al Rashed also sung the famous Gandhi Bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To..', which was well received by the audience. Famous Kuwaiti Violinist Abdul Aziz accompanied them on his violin.
During the celebration, Indian embassy given out prizes for the winners of "Bharat ko Janiye" Quiz competition organised by Ministry of External Affairs. Winners from Kuwait Sherin Thomas Baby and Shad Ahmed received the medal issued by the Ministry of External Affairs during the event.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, led India's freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever. The main event will be celebrated by Government of India on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.