Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held in Jaipur

With an aim to address issues concerning overseas Indians and attract entrepreneurs, the 'world's largest diaspora meet' Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Jaipur in January next year.

With an aim to address issues concerning overseas Indians and attract entrepreneurs, the 'world's largest diaspora meet' Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Jaipur in January next year.

HT Image

"Jaipur is the destination of our next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations. It will be held from January 7-9," minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told reporters here.

The function will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil will deliver the valedictory address. The chief guest of the three-day event will be Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The theme of the event will be 'Global India: Inclusive Growth'. "The economic growth of India should not benefit only one section of the society. Everybody should be part of this growth story. We will discuss how PIOs can contribute in the inclusive growth of India," Ravi said.

There will also be two pre-conference seminars on 'Solar Energy - Investment and R&D' and 'Social Entrepreneurship -Water'.

The Union minister said the government is targeting 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. "We are also expecting a large number of youth participation in the event," he said.

The minister said despite slowdown in western nation, "We are expecting more delegations from that part of the world. Other than that we are also expecting good numbers from Africa."

Thanking Ravi for awarding the hosting of event to Jaipur, Rajasthan Industries Minister Rajendra Pareek said, "They are planning to provide 20 per cent discount to the participants of the event in rent for ITDC hotels and fare for Palace on Wheels.'

Established in 2003, 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry. There are nearly 25 million PIOs in 150 nations of the world.