Diaspora Conference focus on Youth

New Delhi December 21 The Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand will be the Chief Guest of forthcoming Ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2011.

Addressing a press conference, here today, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said more than 1300 delegates of the overseas Indian community across the world are expected to participate in the PBD-2011.

He said that so far, delegates from 38 countries had registered for participating in the event. The effort is to have a more meaningful and interactive event that would address issues and concerns of the overseas Indian community effectively, he said.

Mr Ravi said overseas Indians have emerged as important constituents of their adopted countries. They have contributed to transforming the economies, participating in political process and added value to thought and innovation of their destination countries.

The Minister said the theme of PBD-2011 is “Engaging the Global Indian”.

The event will be held from January 7 to 9, 2011 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The event is organised by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry (MOIA), in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) along with eight North Eastern States and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He said Prime Minister Dr Singh will inaugurate the convention on January 8. President Pratibha Patil will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2011 to distinguished PIOs/NRIs and will deliver the Valedictory Address on January 9.

Highlighting the main features of the convocation, Mr Ravi said (DONER) and eight North Eastern States will be partner of Ninth PBD. A special session focusing on the North East is being held on January 7, 2011 besides a special plenary session ‘Investment opportunities in North Eastern Region’ on January 8, 2011.

He said the focus of PBD 2011 would be on the young overseas Indians.

In an endeavour to connect with and engage the younger generation of the overseas Indians with emerging India, a plenary session on “Engaging with the young overseas Indian” is being organized. He also informed that two pre-conference seminars on health and education sectors are being organised.

The annual PBD oration, called the C K Prahalad Memorial Lecture, will be delivered by Dr Gautam Ahuja of the University of Michigan.

The PBD-2011 would be web cast online and summary of proceedings put out each day.

The interactive website would provide an opportunity for the Diaspora to participate in

the conference from any corner of the world, he added.

B K Handique, Development of North Eastern Region Minister B K Handique said PBD will showcase the essence of North Eastern Region and provide a platform for participant NRI’s to explore North Eastern Region.

He hoped that many NRI’s of North East Region would participate in the event.

He said both the ministries are working together for skill development of youths from North Eastern Region in healthcare, hospitality and tourism sectors to improve the prospects of employment both in home and abroad.

He expressed satisfaction over that participation of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in PBD-2011. Dr A Didar Singh Secretary, MOIA was also present in the conference.

A Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, New Delhi Press Release