The PIO forum proposes International Cultural Festival for the Indian Diaspora every four years
With the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas kicking off tomorrow here, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has honoured the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr. Achyuta Samanta with the first-ever PIO Excellence Award in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to education and tribal empowerment. The award was given away during the ‘PIOs Dialogue with India 2025’ session, organized by KIIT-DU.
Themed “Empowering Global Connections: The Role of PIOs in Emerging India,” the programme brought together dignitaries and leaders from around the world.
Alongside Dr. Samanta, Shanmugan Mookkan, OSD to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Professor Ajay Kumar Dubey from JNU were also recognized for their contributions.
A major highlight of the event was the proposal to host an International Cultural Festival for the Indian Diaspora every four years in India. The festival aims to celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of People of Indian Origin (PIO) globally and strengthen their ties with India.
The session also marked the launch of the GOPIO International Chair at KIIT-DU, an initiative dedicated to promoting research and innovation concerning the Indian Diaspora. This chair will facilitate academic studies and document the contributions of PIOs across the globe.
Dr. Samanta, in his speech, expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is an honour for KIIT and KISS to host one of the sessions of PIOs. KIIT has grown from 12 students to over 80,000 today, and KISS has become a revolution in the country. I hope our distinguished guests are pleased to witness this progress.”
- Ravendiran Arjunan, Secretary General of GOPIO International, praised KIIT’s remarkable growth: “The KIIT township has grown by leaps and bounds. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas itself was born out of a request by PIOs to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and today, the contributions of PIOs in nation-building must be preserved and documented.”
Reflecting on the historical significance of Odisha, Arjunan remarked, “Kalinga was known for its traders and businessmen who travelled across the world. Their contributions are often forgotten, and it is time we preserve their legacy.”
Dr. Ponnusamy Muthayah, President of GOPIO International, traced the origins of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, highlighting how the conference has brought the Diaspora closer to India.
Vinay Dussoye, Vice President of GOPIO, emphasized the importance of protecting Indian culture and civilization, proposing the International Cultural Festival as a step towards reinforcing global connections. “The process of engaging the Diaspora rests with our younger generation. We must establish ourselves in international business and ensure cultural preservation,” he added.
Former Diplomat and Director General of international Relations, KIIT-DU Debraj Pradhan highlighted the Indian Diaspora’s seller role in India’s growth, while Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU, underscored the role of the diaspora in India’s growth. Prof. Debasish Bandopadhyay, Pro Vice-Chancellor, extended the vote of thanks, acknowledging the proposal for the cultural carnival.