Engaging the Global Indian

The ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, from 7-9 January 2011, organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region along with eight North Eastern States and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

2. The special feature of PBD-2011 is the participation of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and eight North Eastern States as partner. There will be a plenary session for the Chief Ministers of North Eastern States. This would provide the Diaspora with an opportunity to understand the tremendous potential of this beautiful part of India. There would be also be Plenary Sessions with Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of other States.

3. The focus of PBD 2011 will be on the young overseas Indian. In an endeavour to connect with and engage the younger generation of overseas Indians with emerging India, a plenary session on "Engaging with the Young Overseas Indian" is being organized.

4. Two pre-conference seminars on 'Education' and 'Health care' are proposed that would offer new opportunities to the Diaspora to participate in these sectors in India.

5. A distinguished overseas Indian will deliver the annual oration that would be called the 'Prof. C.K. Prahalad Memorial Lecture' this year.

6. There will be parallel interactive sessions on topics important to the Diaspora, including:

1. Industry round table: Interaction between Diaspora and Indian Industry leaders.
2. Information, Communication & Entertainment (ICE)
3. Celebrating the Global Indian

7. The Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the Convention on 8th January. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2011 to distinguished PIOs/NRIs and will deliver the Valedictory Address on 9th January.

8. PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to overseas Indians on matters of common interest and concern to them. They also help the Government of India to better understand and appreciate the expectations of the overseas Indian community from the land of their ancestors and more importantly, acknowledge of the important role played by them in India's efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.

9. In the series of regional PBDs being organized overseas, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Africa Convention is being held at Durban, South Africa on October 1-2, 2010. This is the fourth regional PBD outside India. The earlier events were organized at New York, Singapore and The Hague. The event being held at Durban on 02.10.2010 will coincide with Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and also be a part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa. The central theme of this event is 'India and Africa : Building Bridges".

10. Please visit the PBD website at www.pbdindia.org for the programme updates, registration procedures and for any other related details like accommodation and travel.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B.S. Yediyurappa launched the official website of the NRI Forum Karnataka on 23^rd June 2009. The link is www.nriforumkarnataka.org.