Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (2009)
August 19, 2008

The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention would be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai on 07-09 January 2009. It is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would be the institutional partner. It would be the first PBD Convention organized in Chennai.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin on matters of common interest. The Convention would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8th January. President of India would deliver the valedictory address on 9th January. She would also confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009.

The following would be the Highlights of the 7th PBD:

- Focus on issues of interest to Overseas Indians and their role in India’s emergence as a global power. Topics for discussion include “Indian Diaspora: Preservation of Language and Culture”, “Health Concerns of Indian Diaspora”, “Role of Diaspora Youth in the 21st Century India”, and “India As An Emerging Power: The Diaspora Factor”.

- Separate Regional Working Sessions on Diaspora in the Gulf, Asia-Pacific, Africa, USA, Europe, Caribbean and Canada.

- Building-the-Bridges Sessions on ‘Trade & Industry’, ‘Culture & Entertainment’, ‘Education’ and ‘Philanthropy’

- Sessions with State Governments on ‘Need for having a response mechanism for the Indian Diaspora’

- A Trade and Industry Exhibition with participation from Corporate, Financial Institutions, State Governments, NGos and others.

- OIFC market place

- Optional Tour Programmes to Tirupati, Puducherry, Mamallpuram (Mahabalipuram) and others

A website www.pbdindia.org being launched on 21st August, 2008 would provide further details about the PBD.