India's IT capital is all set to host what is touted as the largest convergence of Indian diaspora, with more than 6,000 delegates from across the worldconfirming their registration to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)convention beginning tomorrow.
The 14th edition of the three-day PBD event will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center on the city outskirts with an aim to provide a platform to overseas Indians to engage with the Government on issues of concern to the diaspora and to explore opportunities for investment in India and contribution to the country of their origin.
The event also provides an opportunity to the overseas Indians to network with other overseas Indians residing in various parts of the world.
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The convention, being held biennially for the firsttime instead of earlier annual versions, will aim atredefining India's engagement with its 3.12 crore strongdiaspora in diverse spheres, including innovation, start-ups,tourism and education.
According to organisers, a total of 6,346 registrations have been confirmed for PBD 2017 and more than 1500 NRIs and 400 floating NRIs will be a part of the event.
Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas with the key focus on innovations and start-ups will be held on January 7.
PrimeMinister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address onJanuary 8 and the same day there is a session where ChiefMinisters from eight states are expected to participate.
The convention,which will also host cultural programmes with more than 240 artists performing, will see President Pranab Mukherjee conferring Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards onJanuary 9.
The Indian origin Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa will be the Chief Guest at the PBD, and 36-year-old Vice-President of Suriname Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin will be the Special Guest at the Youth PBD.
PBD 2017 has listed as its objectives defining the engagement with the Indian diaspora, to strengthen diaspora engagement and provide a platform for networking with the diaspora, to recognise their contribution to India and know their expectations and concerns and to deepen engagement with young Diasporas to help them know more about their roots.
Massive security and traffic arrangements have beenmade by the state administration for the smooth conduct ofPBD.
The latest wave of economic reforms, including overhaul ofindirect taxes through proposed GST will be projected significantly by the government at the event, that will be attended by a battery of Union Ministers, officials said.
The PBD was launched by the Vajpayee government in 2003
to step up India's engagement with its diaspora and the congregation of NRIs and Persons of India origins had continued as an annual event till 2015.
Last year, the government had decided to make it a biennial event.
January 9 is the main day of PBD as it was on this dayin 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the "greatest Pravasi", returned to India from South Africa and led India's freedom struggle.
Topics for discussions at the plenary sessions include - realising India's development vision, partnering with diaspora to accelerate tourism in the country and India as a global health and wellness hub.
The conclave also has provisions for business-to-business meetings.
Karnataka, as a partner state, will have a session on startup eco-system and on investment opportunities in the state.
Industrial Tours are being freely provided for PBD delegates by the state government, which is also offering sightseeing tours at special rates for the delegates.
