Gandhinagar

The 13th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention will begin in Gandhinagar tomorrow in which NRIs from over 58 countries are expected to participate, amid tight security in the wake of ‘terror’ boat incident in Arabian sea.

The three-day convention marks the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the country’s development and aims at connecting India to its vast overseas diaspora and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills on a common platform.

The PBD is the flagship event of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Government of India.

2015 is the centenary year of the return of Mahatma Gandhi to his motherland from South Africa on January 9, 1915, from where he led freedom struggle against the British.

“Gandhji came back to India and travelled across the country to find out the real situation. He devoted his entire life for the freedom of the country without anyone telling him anything. It is the duty of Indian diaspora to contribute (for) the development of the country,” Gujarat Chief Secretary D J Pandian told reporters.

After landing in Mumbai, Gandhi travelled extensively in the country before establishing his base at Sabarmati Ashram here on the banks of Sabarmati river.

On the first day of the event, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US-based astronaut Sunita Williams, who has roots in Gujarat, will take part in the ‘Youth PBD’ programme at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, the venue of the convention.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the main event on January 8 where Foreign Minister of South Africa, Maite Nikoana-Mashabane will be the guest of honour and President of Guyana Doland Ramotar the chief guest.

Modi will also inaugurate an exhibition on the life of Mahatma Gandhi at the venue.

NRI delegates from over 58 countries are expected to participate in the event which will have a battery of speakers including Vice President Hamid Ansari, Narendra Modi, senior Cabinet ministers, besides prominent NRI personalities spanning the fields of education, politics and business.

On the last day of the event, chief ministers of various states will try to seek investment from NRI delegates in their respective states.

The Vice-President will give away prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Awards to individuals of exceptional merit to appreciate their role in India’s growth, during the concluding session.

Cultural programmes will also be held on a big scale on the evenings of January 8 and 9 for the NRIs.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the wake of the Indian Coast Guard recently intercepting a boat with suspected terrorists on its board off Porbandar. The boat sank after its crew started fire.

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