Kolkata: CM Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday invited the global Indian diaspora to experience Bengal’s culture, heritage and hospitality at the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), to be held in Kolkata on Jan 7-9, 2027.




Speaking at the launch of the PBD website in Delhi, he said the state govt had begun preparations and formed 14 working committees, with the home department as the nodal department. “ West Bengal is ready to organise this event. I am assuring Dr Jaishankarji and his entire team that West Bengal has everything. Now the new govt is very happy,” he said.




The state will provide content for the portal to help delegates plan their stay, including hotels and homestays, tourism packages, transport, shopping destinations, religious and spiritual sites, and cultural events during the convention.




“Come to West Bengal. Stay in Kolkata. Kolkata is a city of joy. It is also the birthplace of Swami Vivekananda . Visit Kalighat temple and Dakshineswar temple,” Adhikari said.




Later, speaking to reporters, the CM said PM Narendra Modi ’s guiding principle was “less talk, more work”, and the state govt would follow the same approach to make the event a historic success.




Explaining why Bengal was hosting an event of this scale for the first time, Adhikari took a swipe at the previous Left Front and Trinamool govts.




He said Bengal had not had the same party at the Centre and in the state for 49 years, and alleged that earlier administrations lacked the will and vision to host major events and had turned down the Centre’s proposals.




“Democracy does not require the same party to be in power at the Centre and in the state. But despite having all the necessary infrastructure, there was a lack of proper vision earlier,” he said.




He thanked Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar for entrusting Kolkata with the event.




Jaishankar said Kolkata held a special place in the history of India and of the diaspora, as many who set sail from the city for Mauritius, Fiji and the Caribbean carried their languages, customs and faith with them. Their journeys, marked by sacrifice and hardship, laid the foundation of a global Indian presence, he said.