Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

The next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 07-09 January 2010.

The 8^th edition of this flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has been differently structured this time around with a view to provide the delegates with an opportunity to interact with:

1. Cabinet Ministers from India on matters of interest and concern to them.
2. PIO Ministers/dignitaries from other countries on the expectations and aspirations of the overseas Indian community from the land of their ancestor4s and how they could work towards strengthening the relationship between India and the country of their residence.
3. Chief Ministers on issues their States need to attend on priority and facilities and incentives available in their states for the overseas Indian community.

The convention will have four concurrent sessions on: 'Investment', 'Knowledge', 'Philanthropy' and 'Gender Issues'.

PBD-2010 will also see the launching of an annual Lecture series under the overarching theme of 'India and its Diaspora: Everlasting Bonds of Togetherness'.

On cards is also a Golf Tournament, seminars on 'Nano-Technology' and 'property-related issues' of NRIs/PIOs.

The high-profile convention will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8^th January. President of India will deliver the valedictory address on 9^th January and would confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2010.

These conventions provide the largest platform to the PIOs and NRIs for exchange of views and networking on matters of common interest. Among the decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations he3ld at these Conventions, are formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualization of PIO University, formation of Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian origin, setting up of the India Development Foundation, enabling professionals holding Overseas Citizens of India cards to practice in India, launching of the Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global-INK) and the issuance of a smart cards for Indian workers working abroad.

The Convention is being organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the Government of NCT of Delhi. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would be the institutional partner.

Online registration would start from 15^th September 2009. Further details would be available on the website of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (www.moia.gov.in). Link to the event: http://www.pbdindia.org/.

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.