NDA Government will showcase its new initiatives like Make in India, Clean Ganga and economic reforms at the Pravasi Bhartia Divas, India's annual event to connect with diaspora to be held next month in Gandhinagar, to woo investors and strengthen the two-way engagement.
The 13th edition of the three-day annual event beginning January 7 has a special significance this year as it will also commemorate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the conclave on January 8 while President Pranab Mukherjee will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to distinguished overseas Indians on January 9.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said around 3,000 delegates from the diaspora community from across the world are likely to participate in the event being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs along with Gujarat Government.
Swaraj said President of the Republic of Guyana Donald Ramotar will be Chief Guest of the event to which Foreign Minister of South Africa has also been invited because of commemoration of Gandhi's return from that country.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a number of Union Ministers will participate in plenary sessions which will have themes such as 'Opportunities in India', Smart Cities and Urban Planning, Skill Development and Tourism etc.
Chief Ministers of non-NDA ruled states of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Nagaland have confirmed their participation along with those ruled by BJP or its allies include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharastra.
Addressing a press conference along with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Swaraj, also Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, said she personally invited all the Chief Ministers including West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee and hoped that more CMs will participate in the event.
Asked what was the outcome of the previous PBDs, Swaraj said this time the event will be different as the government is making sincere efforts to engage the diaspora community, particularly the young generation, to India's development.
"It was started during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. Though it continued for 12 years, the dream was never realised. Now there will be a new beginning to realise those dreams," Swaraj said. The PBD was first organised in 2003.
The themes of plenary sessions include 'Bharat ko Jano' - Indian Diaspora Youth-Linkage with Traditions, Culture and Philosophy, and 'Bharat ko Mano' - Innovations in Modern India and Gandhian Thought in Context of the 21st century.
There will be a separate session on 'Soft Power in India's Global Engagement' and another with 'Achievers of Indian Diaspora'. A number of concurrent sessions with themes such as 'Issues of Labour and Employment in Gulf Countries and role of Indian diaspora organisation are also being organised. A separate session on Indian indentured labourers as well as another on 'The Francophone Diaspora', those who speak French, will also be held.
Asked why Gujarat was chosen for the event, Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi as Chief Minister of the state had four years ago requested then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to hold the 13th PBD in Gujarat to commemorate the centenary of Gandhi's return from South Africa.
The PBD oration on Relevance of Gandhian Philosophy over the Century will be delivered by US-based academician Anand Sharma. An exhibition will also be held, portraying Mahatma Gandhi's contribution to the freedom movement.
The Gujarat Chief Minister said Modi will also inaugurate a 'Salt Mound' structure near Mahatma Mandir in Gandhi Nagar which will provide various facets of Gandhi's life. She said the Gujarat government will also organise a cultural evening on January 8.
Youth Affairs Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said his ministry will take youths from various parts of the country to PBD so that they can interact with diaspora youths. The Youth Affairs Ministry is a partner ministry in the event.
In a unique initiative, four separate batches of diaspora youths will be having interactive sessions with students of four prestigious educational institutions in Gujarat. Cultural events have also been planned in these educational institutes.
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