Referring to the apparent slackening in enthusiasm during the past few years to the annual gala, Modi said that “in between, little little, people did not feel like coming. Few would come and a few came because they had to come; but I would come regularly,” to laughter among the crowd. “We are extremely proud of our diaspora. They have made India global and their strong values have endeared them wherever they have gone,” he tweeted later.

Earlier, Modi welcomed Guyana President Donald Ramotar, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Mauritius Vice Prime Minister Showkutally Soodhun who were on the dais with him. He later held bilateral meetings with them. He recalled how Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali are enthusiastically celebrated in Guyana, that Jan 8 also happens to be the founding day of the African National Congress in South Africa and Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary Oct 2 is observed in Mauritius with even greater vigour than in India.

A PBD Kendra is also coming up in New Delhi and would be inaugurated soon for the benefit of pravasis, he said. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the Government is determined to work closely with its huge diaspora to “leverage each other’s strengths for mutual benefits and urged professionals from the diaspora to join in efforts to develop India and “restore it to its past glory”. “A successful, prosperous and politically influential diaspora is an asset to India, much as a strong and self-reliant India would be a source of strength and inspiration for the diaspora. This synergy acts as a vibrant bridge between us and sustains our relationship,” she said.

Guyanese President Ramotar, chief guest at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, January 8, 2015 urged India to play a more active role on the global stage and be the voice of the developing world. South African Foreign Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said that she was happy to join in the celebrations of the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. She described India as her second home having spent six years as a high commissioner.

The Government also announced a list of 15 NRIs who would be conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards for 2015. The list includes Ramotar and Satyanarayana Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. The event was held in Gandhinagar Jan 7-9 to mark the centenary of the return to the country of India’s “sarva sreshtha pravasi Bharatiya” or foremost Indian diaspora member, Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa. Earlier, Modi inaugurated the ‘Dandi Kutir’ museum located opposite the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The three-storey exhibition, housed in a dome shaped Salt Mountain structure, traces the life and times of Gandhi.

Nearly 4,000 delagates from 44 countries attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015. A mega exhibition spread over 1.1 million sq ft was also organized as part of the programme.