The Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj and Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today addressed a joint press conference on the forthcoming 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)-2015, which is to be held from 7-9 January 2015 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Following are the highlights of the press conference:

Anandiben Patel:

The government of Gujarat is mainly organizing two events during Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. On 8 January evening we have organized cultural event at Kankaria lake front in Ahmedabad. During this event, our country’s national cultural traditions will be displayed by slum children from Gujarat. This event will be about one hour long. It will be followed by a dinner event organized by the state government.

On 8 January Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate salt mount at Mahatma Mandir. Latest technology has been used to showcase Mahatma Gandhi’s life and works at salt mount which has been set up as a permanent exhibition.

I thank Sushma Swaraj for giving us an opportunity to mark 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s home coming. Then Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi had written a letter to then Prime Minister suggesting that 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s home coming should be marked with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebration in Gujarat.

Hotels are booked for participants of PBD. Food, halt and travel facilities are also arranged by state government. Some of those arriving to participate have their relatives in Gujarat, so they will stay there. Some local families are going to take responsibility of guests.

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