12 CMs to participate in diaspora day

The chief ministers would address sessions at the event to attract investment to their respective states.

Chief ministers of 12 states will interact with the Indian diaspora at the fourth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held here early next month.

HT Image

SP Tripathi, undersecretary, the ministry of overseas Indian affairs, told reporters on Saturday that chief ministers of 12 states, including Andhra Pradesh, had confirmed their participation.

The chief ministers would address separate sessions at the event to attract investment to their respective states, Tripathi said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy will address the delegates on January 8, the second day of the three-day event.

About 2,000 delegates, including 1,500 non-resident Indians (NRIs), would attend the PBD or the Indian diaspora day, which also marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa on January 9, 1915.

Some of the important initiatives to be announced include creation of special vehicles to facilitate overseas Indians' investment, a collaborative research institution and an e-based Indian Diaspora Knowledge Network, a platform that will facilitate global information exchange and networking between overseas Indians and India.