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PM Modi Flags Off Pravasi Bharatiya Express: A Cultural Journey for NRIs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Express,' a special tourist train dedicated to the Indian diaspora. This state-of-the-art train, flagged off remotely from New Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station, is designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) aged between 45 and 65. It aims to connect the diaspora to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage through an immersive travel experience.

The train's maiden journey begins on January 9, commemorating the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915. Over three weeks, it will cover iconic tourist and pilgrimage destinations, including Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra. Capable of accommodating 156 passengers, the train operates under the Ministry of External Affairs’ Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) in collaboration with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8 to 10, 2025. This flagship event celebrates the Indian diaspora’s contributions to India’s development, with this year’s theme being "Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat." Delegates from over 50 countries are set to participate in this event, fostering stronger ties between India and its global diaspora.

Through these initiatives, the government aims to deepen the connection of NRIs with their roots while highlighting India’s cultural richness and economic growth.

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