If all goes well, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet event Vibrant Gujarat Summit may get a fillip through the probable hosting of the thirteenth edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in January 2015 by the Government of Gujarat.
After Modi's shift to the Centre, apprehensions had been rising over the success of the biennial event that has moved on from being investors' gathering to a global knowledge sharing platform. However, according to state government sources, communication has begun regarding hosting the next edition of PBD between Gujarat government and the Centre regarding the same.
"Mails have been circulating, not just between the state and central government but also within the state government. Work is gradually picking up pace on conducting both the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January at Mahatma Mandir, along with Vibrant Gujarat. The Vibrant Gujarat will definitely see a spillover of the huge footfalls from PBD if the latter is hosted in the state," said a senior state government official on condition of anonymity.
Many believe the hosting of PBD would not only safeguard the Vibrant Gujarat Summit but also help garner more footfalls due to the former. However, doubts have also been rising in certain corridors of the state government over the current leadership's ability to host the two mega events after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shift to the Centre, according to state government sources. This, despite Modi's interest in success of the Vibrant Summit as well as near surety of his attendance at both events.
"Every year after the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is hosted, 25 per cent of the participants travel to Gandhinagar later on for attending the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. This year, if PBD is hosted in Gujarat, we can definitely expect 100 per cent of the footfalls coming down later for Vibrant Gujarat Summit," said an industry representative who is part of a Vibrant Gujarat Summit committee.
When asked, another senior state government official involved in administration work behind PBD replied through a text message stating, "Looks likely. Full details awaited."
A final call with regards to hosting the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, will, however be taken in a high powered committee meeting next month that will be chaired by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
Nevertheless, delegations are being readied to travel in August this year to different countries such as Canada and China for promoting the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
