PBD to have discussion on disaster control

A special session on disaster management in view of the devastating tsunami tragedy will be the prominent feature of the Pravasi Bharatiya 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 Bharatiya Divas commencing in Mumbai on 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.

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.

The Minister 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.