Here’s taking a look at women changing the picture of entrepreneurship both in India and abroad on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Every year on January 9, India commemorates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Tracing back the history of this day, it was on January 9, 1915, that the Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. And, we all know how he went on to play a totally premium role in the liberation of the country. As a result, January 9 was designated as ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ – to commemorate Gandhiji’s arrival in India. To add to the ceremonious activities conducted on Pravasi Diwas, Indians who have brought glory to India by achieving success abroad in their respective fields, are honoured.
Pravasi Diwas was first celebrated in 2003, but it was revised in 2015; and that was when it was decided that this day would be celebrated every two years. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated earlier in 2021, and it was on virtual mode as we were hit by Corona; and the theme was -‘Contribution to self-reliant India’.
This year Pravasi Bharatiya Divas theme is – ‘Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal’.
Why is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated? The day is celebrated to create a network of overseas Indians by providing a suitable platform for them to interact with their countrymen, by bringing together Indian youth and overseas Indians. One of the primary goals is – to expand opportunities for investment. The overseas Indian community can easily connect with the government and citizens of the country, in a way that can be beneficial to both.
Incidentally, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is being held this year in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from January 8 to January 10. On January 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally launch the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention.
In August 2022, it was reported that the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) rolled out an exclusive entrepreneurship promotional programme – for the (Non-Resident Indian) NRI community in the next financial year. The Chief Executive Officer Mr Anoop Ambika had stated that NRIs would be invited to present start-up ideas, and what was scalable among them would be selected and backed under the proposed NRI-specific scheme. The NRI community is among the six sections that the KSUM has identified as potential sources of entrepreneurships in the State, which would also be part of long-term plans, the others being educational institutions, research institutions, industry, government, and NGOs.
Can being a pravasi stop you from becoming an entrepreneur?
Looking at the journey of women entrepreneurship in Indian and abroad, we notice that now they are slowly beginning to take over the scene.
Another plus point is that the startup culture has slowly and steadily emerged as a game-changer for the Indian economy. And, we noticing the country’s urban women population taking more critical positions in their specially-launched businesses. And this pattern is being followed in Regional India too. Also, with the rising popularity of homegrown businesses in India, one cannot deny that today, women are indeed changing the business landscape.
Women-run businesses are shaping the country and also, women in business outside India are actually getting reflected in the country’s forward-looking image!
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
