The 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), an event which celebrates the achievements of Indians living abroad, will be held in Gujarat from January 7-9.
Briefing the media about the upcoming event here on Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Gujarat has been chosen as the partner State as 2015 happens to be the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa. To reflect this, the event will showcase his work and achievements.
The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 8, and President Pranab Mukherjee will honour prominent Pravasis on January 9.
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On January 7, the youth segment of PBD will be inaugurated with the theme
PBD 2015 will have many novelties, said Ms. Swaraj. For the first time, the PBD will have a plenary in which presentations will be made on the flagship programmes of the government such as Namami Ganga, Swachh Bharat, Skill Development and Urban Development and NRIs and People of Indian origin (PIO) would be impressed upon to take part in them.
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Besides, there would be separate sessions for ‘Girmitya’, Indian migrants taken to work in plantations, Gulf countries, French speaking countries and Diaspora organisations in various countries and the Ambassadors of these countries would be present to understand their problems.
There will also be a Chief Ministers’ session as usual followed by a session to highlight the “Make in India” campaign which would be addressed by Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who also addressed the press conference, said her government is organising two events at the PBD.
About 3,000 Pravasis are expected to take part in the event.