Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train designed exclusively for the Indian diaspora, from Janata Maidan, the venue of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention in Bhubaneswar.
The launch coincides with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915, a momentous event in India’s history. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will embark on a three-week journey from Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi, offering passengers an immersive experience across destinations of cultural, historical, and religious significance, including Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra.
With a capacity of 156 passengers, the train is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of External Affairs under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) and the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). It is designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) aged 45 to 65, aiming to strengthen their connection with India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the Prime Minister emphasized its role in fostering deeper ties between the diaspora and their ancestral roots. “This train symbolizes our collective journey towards a culturally vibrant and progressive India,” he remarked during the virtual inauguration.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, co-organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha government, runs from January 8 to 10 under the theme ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.’ The convention kicked off with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 8.
During his visit, PM Modi also inaugurated four exhibitions and explored promotional stalls set up by various Union and state ministries and departments.
