New Zealand Governor General to be Chief Guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2011

New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): The Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand will be the Chief Guest of forthcoming 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)-2011.

Addressing a press conference, here today, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, said that more than 1300 delegates of overseas Indian community across the world are expected to participate in the PBD-2011.

"So far, delegates from 38 countries have registered for participating in the event. The effort is to have a more meaningful and interactive event that would address issues and concerns of the overseas Indian community effectively," said Ravi.

"Overseas Indians have emerged as important constituents of their adopted countries. They have contributed to transforming the economies, participating in political process and added value to thought and innovation of their destination countries," he added.

Vayalar Ravi further said that the theme of PBD-2011 is "Engaging the Global Indian".

The event will be held from 7th to 9th January-2011 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region along with eight North Eastern States and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the convention on January 8. The President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2011 to distinguished PIOs/NRIs and will deliver the Valedictory Address on January 9," he said

Highlighting the main features of the convocation, Ravi said that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) and eight North Eastern States will be partner of 9th PBD.

"A special session focusing on the North East is being held on January 7, 2011 besides a special plenary session 'Investment opportunities in North Eastern Region' on January 8, 2011. The focus of PBD-2011 is going to be on the young overseas Indians," said Ravi.

"In an endeavour to connect with and engage the younger generation of the overseas Indians with emerging India, a plenary session on "Engaging with the young overseas Indian" is being organized," he added.

Ravi.also informed that two pre-conference seminars on health and education sectors are being organized.

The annual PBD oration is being called the C.K. Prahalad Memorial Lecture, which to be delivered by Dr. Gautam Ahuja of the University of Michigan.

"The PBD-2011 would be web cast online and summary of proceedings put out each day. The interactive website would provide an opportunity for the Diaspora to participate in the conference from any corner of the world," he added. (ANI)