l India launches 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Express tour

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India launches 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Express tour

Applications for the 19-day tour, scheduled from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8 are being accepted until May 20.

Pravasi Bharatiya Express on Jan.9, 2025 / X/@PBDConvention

The Government of India announced the second edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express tour, an initiative aimed at reconnecting Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage. 

The 19-day tour, scheduled from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8 will take participants to 17 iconic religious and tourist destinations across India.

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Organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the journey will cover historically and spiritually significant locations including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Rameshwaram, Mahabalipuram, and Agra. 
 



The tour is open to selected PIOs on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is self-financed at a cost of approximately $2,300 plus taxes.

Applications for the tour are being accepted until May 20. Interested individuals can email their local Indian consulates for registration details and eligibility criteria.

Launched under the broader framework of the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (Pilgrimage Tour Scheme for Overseas Indians), the initiative is part of the Indian government’s efforts to promote cultural exchange and strengthen ties with the global diaspora. 

The program includes curated cultural experiences and guided visits to prominent temples, monuments, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The inaugural edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9, 2025, marking the 110th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa. It received wide appreciation from PIOs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

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