PM to address 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will today address NRIs and people of Indian origin, as part of the ongoing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi.

The 12th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began on Tuesday. The theme of this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is "Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations".

Speaking at the function yesterday, Minister for Overseas Indian affairs, Vyalar Ravi said partnerships between young Indians in the country and those residing overseas, would create jobs and bring prosperity.

Ravi said that government is trying to further expand various programmes for youth diaspora so that they could continue to benefit and stay connected to their mother land. These programmes are Know India Programme, Study India Programme, and Scholarship programme for Diaspora Children.

"These schemes and programmes have benefitted the diaspora youth as well as the diaspora children immensely by exposing them to the cultural heritage and the growth and development story of their mother country, India," he added.

President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address tomorrow and will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards which will be given to 14 people this time.