The Embassy of India, Riyadh, and the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, were among the 70 missions worldwide that streamed live from New Delhi the inauguration of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on Sunday. On this occasion, Ambassador Ahmad Javed addressed the audience in Riyadh, while Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh addressed the audience in Jeddah. Both lauded Oct. 2, as not only the birth anniversary of the "Father of Our Nation Mahatma Gandhi", but also the birthday of our late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, who coined the famous slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" the two members — soldier, farmer — who empower a community and a nation. The center is going to be a sweet home away from home for the visiting Pravasi. Apart from that, it will be a premier center for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Indian Diaspora from different parts of the world. It is equipped to host a wide range of activities such as meetings, seminars, classes and cultural events to facilitate exchange of ideas involving the Diaspora. It is expected that PBK would emerge as a focal point for all activities engaging the Indian Diaspora. During the program of the launch of the PBK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also released the Protocol booklet of Department of AYUSH, Government of India, regarding prevention of diabetes through yoga. Referring to the Yoga Protocol booklet released by the premier, he also spoke on the benefits of yoga for a healthy life. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Consul General Sheikh also highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated center for the Indian community. He also thanked the contribution of the community to the Consulate towards providing assistance to the Indian community at large. He also shed light on the life and philosophy of the greatest Pravasi Gandhi and current relevance of the ideals of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (Truth) propounded by Gandhi. He stressed that Oct. 2 is also celebrated as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which literally translates into ‘Clean India Campaign', as a starting point for all of us to join this campaign. He highlighted the metaphorical approach that the Indian premier sought from Indians with this campaign, in which he sought all Indians to not only take the broom to sweep away the dirt in India but to take the broom to sweep away the cobwebs in our minds. "It is not only a physical effort, but a campaign to increase our mental strength by keeping a clean mind that would allow us to welcome new thoughts and images to benefit not only us but also our nations," said Sheikh. In this, he recalled the release of the Yoga protocol at the PBK inauguration as another facet of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as the practice allows "for all to clean our minds and in the process stay healthy." Later, the consul general also led the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission Day). The Abhiyan was joined by all the community representatives, PIOs and media personnel.
