Gujarat may host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas with investor summit

After Modi's shift to Centre, there were concerns over the event's success

Gujarat is likely to host the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet event, the Vibrant Gujarat summit, on January  9, 2015.

After Modi's stepped down as Gujarat chief minister, there were doubts about the state's biennial summit that has transformed itself from a gathering of investors to a global knowledge sharing platform. According to state government sources, however, Gujarat and the Centre are discussing hosting the next edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

"Mails have been circulating, not just between the state and central governments but also within the state government. Work is gradually picking on hosting the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar along with the Vibrant Gujarat summit," said a senior state government official who did not wish to be named.

Held annually, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrates the contribution of the Indian diaspora in development of the country. It is held on January  9 every year to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa.

Gujarat hosting of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will not only safeguard the Vibrant Gujarat summit but also help it to garner more footfalls. But there are some doubts about the state’s leadership being able to host the two big events, according to state government sources. Modi's is most likely to attend both events.

"Every year after the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is hosted a quarter of the participants travel to Gandhinagar to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. This year if the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is hosted in Gujarat we can definitely expect all of them at the Vibrant Gujarat summit," said an industry representative who is part of a Vibrant Gujarat summit committee.

The Vibrant Gujarat summit 2013 had over 2,000 delegates from 121 countries.

State government sources said preparations had begun for next year’s summit. The Vibrant Gujarat summit is held on January 11-12 every alternate year. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been held in Jaipur and Kochi, apart from Delhi.

A senior state government official involved in administration of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas replied to a question on its being hosted by Gujarat in a text message stating, "Looks likely. Full details awaited."

A decision on hosting the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be taken by a committee chaired by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel next month. Delegations are being readied to travel in August to countries like Canada and China for promoting the Vibrant Gujarat summit.