Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet in Chennai from Jan 08, 2009

Chennai, Dec. 27, 2008
Santosh Kumari

Over 1500 delegates from 40 countries will attend the seventh edition of the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' to be held in Chennai from January eight.

The convention, which is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told reporters after meeting Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Chennai on Friday.

The main theme of the two-day convention would be 'Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward'.

An art exhibition on areas like technology, financial services, fashion, handicrafts, consumer goods would also be conducted, Ravi said.

Besides Karunanidhi, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar would address the conference, he added

7-9 January 2009, Chennai Trade Centre, ChennaiPravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009 - First Time in Chennai
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Overview

The annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention provides a much needed platform to the Overseas Indian Community for exchange of views on ways and means to fulfill their aspirations and expectations from the land of their ancestors. It also provides opportunities for exploring mutually beneficial trade & business relationships and for networking among the community. Celebration of the day every year symbolizes the continued interest of the government of India in the progress and well-being of the Overseas Indian Community.

The formation of a separate Ministry to look into the affairs of Overseas Indians has sent across a positive signal vis-a-vis the importance India attaches to its diaspora. Various steps taken by the Ministry have further strengthened the already strong traditional cultural ties of the togetherness that the Indian Community has with the land of their forefathers.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention

Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is scheduled to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from 07-09 January 2009. Organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), it would be the first PBD Convention organised in Chennai.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin settled all over the world on matters of common interest. Such Conventions have helped the Government to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indian Community from the land of their ancestors and acknowledge the important role played by it In India's efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.

Among the decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at these Conventions, are formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, Conceptualisation of PIO University, formation of Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and the proposed India Development Foundation. A series of Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are also designed specifically for Diaspora youth.

Among other things, the 7th PBD Convention would have sessions on the preservation of Diaspora language and culture and the importance of Diaspora as facilitators and bridge builders. The highlights of PBD 2009 include an Exhibition on Trade & Industry, live demonstrations by craftsmen, cultural evenings and post convention tours.

The Convention would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8th January. The President of India would deliver the valedictory address and also confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009 on 9th January.

Tuesday: 06th January 2009
1000 - 1800 hrs
(CTC Premises) Registration of Delegates
Wednesday: 07th January 2009
1000 hrs
(CTC Premises) Registration of Delegates
1500 hrs hrs
(CTC Premises) Opening of Trade and Industry Exhibition

1900 hrs
(CTC Premises) Cultural Programme by South Zone Cultural Centre
2000 hrs
(CTC Premises) Welcome Reception

Thursday: 08th January 2009
0930 hrs - 1030 hrs
(convention center) Inaugural Session

1030 - 1115 hrs
(Convention Centre) Tea / Coffee Break; Distribution of kits
1115 - 1245 hrs PLENARY I: "India as an Emerging Power: The Diaspora Factor"
1245-1400 hrs Lunch
1400 - 1530 hrs
(Convention Centre) PLENARY II: "Reflections on the Current Economic Crisis : Diaspora Concerns"
1530-1615 hrs Tea / Coffee Break
1615-1730 hrs CONCURRENT SESSION-ONE: "Building Bridges: Trade & Investment"
CONCURRENT SESSION-TWO: "Building Bridges: Diaspora Philanthropy"
CONCURRENT SESSION-THREE: "Building Bridges: Education & Diaspora Knowledge Network"
CONCURRENT SESSION-FOUR: "Building Bridges: Media & Entertainment"
CONCURRENT SESSION-FIVE: "Increased Interaction with Diaspora Women"
CONCURRENT SESSION-SIX: "Health for All: Role of Diaspora"
1900-2000 hrs.
(CTC Premises) Cultural Programme arranged by TN Department of Tourism
2000-2130 hrs.
(CTC Premises) Dinner hosted by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Friday: 09th January 2009
0930-1100 hrs
(Convention Centre) PLENARY III: "Diaspora interaction with the States"
1100-1130 hrs Tea / Coffee Break
1130-1230 hrs
Separate State Sessions
1230-1330 hrs
Lunch
1330-1500 hrs
(Convention Centre) PLENARY IV: "Indian Diaspora: Preservation of Language and Culture"
1500-1615 hrs REGIONAL WORKING SESSIONS

REGIONAL SESSION ONE: AFRICA
REGIONAL SESSION TWO: ASIA PACIFIC
REGIONAL SESSION THREE: CANADA
REGIONAL SESSION FOUR: CARIBBEAN
REGIONAL SESSION FIVE: EUROPE
REGIONAL SESSION SIX: GULF
REGIONAL SESSION SEVEN: USA
1615-1645 hrs Tea / Coffee Break
1700-1800 hrs
(Convention Centre) Valedictory Session
1900-2000 hrs
(CTC Premises) Cultural Programme
2000-2130 hrs
(CTC Premises) Dinner hosted by Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been celebrated for some 6 years now and it has been successful to link overseas Indians to India and sought to integrating them into India's development. The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held from 7th - 9th January 2009. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas provides a platform for overseas Indians to help bond with India