Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on January 9 to commemorate the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the development of India. It was on January 9 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. The day has been celebrated since 2003 under the auspices of the Ministry of Expatriate Indian Affairs, Ministry of North Eastern Region Development and Confederation of Indian Industry, Government of India. This day is celebrated with a three-day program in a particular city of the country. Around 1,500 delegates from 51 countries participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in New Delhi in 2011. On this day, the President of the country formally presented the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’ award.