NRI meet to have session on disaster management

In view of the tsunami tragedy, a special session on disaster management will be organised at Pravasi Divas.

A special plenary session on disaster management in view of the devastating tsunami tragedy and deliberations over problems faced by Indians in the Gulf will be the prominent feature of the three-day third Pravasi Bhartiya Divas commencing in Mumbai from Friday.

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After the tsunami tragedy struck the South and South East Asia, it was thought that a special session on "Disaster management and rehabilitation: The role of overseas Indians be included in the event, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler told reporters in Mumbai on Thursday.

Similarly, in view of large number of Indians staying in Gulf, a session will be held on their problems and how to resolve them, Tytler said.

Tytler noted that despite the tragedy in the southern India, nearly 2,500 delegates, 1,500 are overseas Indians from as many as 60 countries, have confirmed their participation for the event.

Last year, nearly 800 delegates had participated in the second PBD.

But though the PBD is taking place in the country's entertainment capital, the celebration elements like cultural events and entertainment programme have been cancelled in view of the tsunami disaster, Tytler said.

The PBD will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is likely to make an announcement regarding the dual citizenship issue, Tytler indicated.

He said President APJ Abdul Kalam has already given his consent to the dual citizenship bill and his ministry has already started registration process, which has received tremendous response.