NEW DELHI, Nov 5: Reaching out to the young generation of overseas Indians and harnessing their energy will be the focus of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held in the national capital from January 7-9, 2014.
One of the highlights of the annual celebrations is a Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (Youth-PBD) on January 7, Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told reporters here today.
Ravi said that this was the first time that such a youth conclave is being organised.
With a large population of youth, India is a young nation. It is in the fitness of things therefore, that there is a focus on Youth-PBD, he said.
The Union minister said that they are expecting minimum of 1,500 NRIs to participate in the three-day conclave with the theme “Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations”.
“The target is 2,000 NRIs and we hope that it will cross the 1,500 mark,” Ravi told reporters.
“There are 25 million Indians living abroad. We give a platform to a large number of delegations to come, participate, discuss and suggest to the government of India. Naturally it will make us understand the problems they face in the respective country,” Ravi said.
He said youth organisations have been invited and embassies asked to send stronger delegations from different parts of the world.
“This can be a new connection with the youth and also to let them see and understand India and be proud,” Ravi added.
Asked if Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is being invited to the Youth PBD, Ravi said,”I am yet to talk to him but I have an idea to invite him.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the Diwas– flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs — on January 8 and President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Samman Awards.
The event is being organised with ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as partner and FICCI as event manager.
Asked about the awards, Ravi said that usually 15 persons are honoured and a decision on their names will be made by December-end.
On the chief guest, he said, “The decision has to come from the Prime Minister. We will propose 2-3 names and the PM has to decide. That can be done in a couple of weeks time.”
In the session focused on youth on January 7, there will be discussion on “Aspiration of Diaspora Youth” followed by concurrent session on “Sharing a Common Heritage: The Emotional Connect, Young Achievers” and “Emerging India in a Dynamically Changing World”.
Officials said on January 8-9, there will be sessions on “India’s Growth and Development Agenda”, “India’s Soft Power” and “Investment Opportunities in the States” amongst others.
Talking about investments in India, Ravi said, “Those who are interested in investment in India, this is an opportunity.
“Every state government will be represented in the PBD. We are inviting every chief minister and have kept one day for all the CMs to discuss opportunities of investment in their states with the prospective investors,” he said. (PTI)
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