The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    Modi government pulls out all stops to make Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas a grand success

    Synopsis

    Briefing media about the show, MEA Spokesperson Syed Akaruddin informed that day one was a precursor and the PM will inaugurate the meet with key announcements tomorrow.

    ET Bureau
    GANDHINAGAR: The three-day 13th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PDB) got off to a grand start at the majestic Mahatma Gandhi Mandir here – with a great display of soft power -- as the Modi government made a concerted effort to connect with young Non Resident Indians to make them stake holders in the country’s growth story.

    Hoping to make this a unique show – first since Modi came to power – the Centre and the Gujarat government made all out efforts to make their biggest diaspora outreach initiative – a key element of foreign policy -- a successful venture. Organisers from the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Gujarat government told ET that there is tremendous enthusiasm over this year’s meet with delegates signing up till yesterday.

    The total number of delegates has crossed over 2,500 highest ever since the PBD initiative was launched in 2003. Today, an estimated over 25 million people of Indian origin and non-resident Indians live and work outside India. Unofficial figures put the diapora number at 35 million.

    Inaugurating the day one of the mega show, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said a packed audience comprising largely Indian origin youth that “Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is not just about match-making, it is also about discovering your roots, and learning about and appreciating your heritage.” Special efforts have been made to put show and exhibitions about Mahatma Gandhi in the venue with an aim to create awareness about him. This PBD also celebrates 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India. He arrived back in India from South Africa on January 9, 1915.

    Briefing media about the show, MEA Spokesperson Syed Akaruddin informed that day one was a precursor and the PM will inaugurate the meet with key announcements tomorrow. A Ministerial team led by Urban Development Minister Venkaih Naidu will brief NRIs tomorrow about investment opportunities in India. Besides on Friday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will organize a meeting of few state Chief Ministers and NRIs on Friday, said Akbaruddin. The PM will have three bilateral with leaders of Guyana, Mauritius and South Africa on the sidelines of PBD.

    Swaraj pointed out that this Youth PBD is about 3Cs – Connect, Celebrate and Contribute. “The Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is essentially a platform to connect this Indian diaspora with the motherland. We started this initiative in 2003 under the Prime Ministership of Atalji. The idea was to develop consciousness of the concept of the global Indian family, define India’s new approach towards the Diaspora, provide a forum to discuss issues and concerns of people of the Diaspora and to involve the Diaspora in the development and advancement of India,” she noted amid applause.

    Wooing the NRI entrepreneurs, Swaraj urged, “We want you, the Pravasis, to contribute to the development of India. We want you to participate in the vision that Prime Minister Modi has for India’s future… We have launched several programmes that have the potential to transform India.”

    However, Lord Diljit Rana, one of the top Indian origin entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland, who was present at this PBD, rued about the lack of efficient bureaucracy in some of the Indian states. “This does not encourage investments…but I am hopeful that it will change under the Modi government in near future,” Rana, who runs a chain of hotels, told ET.

    Swaraj pointed out that India has also one of the youngest countries in the world, with more than 50 per cent of population being under the age of 25, which means that soon one fifth of the world’s working age population will be in India. “Herein lies the importance of the Youth PBD. Just as you connect to each other through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google and e-mail, the Youth PBD is our attempt to connect with you, the new generation of Pravasis growing up all over the world,” she pointed out making an appeal to them to be stakeholders in India’s economic growth.

    The first plenary session of the show is called ‘Bharat ko Jano’ to know more about India, its traditions, and its art and culture. ‘Bharat ko Jano’ told the delegates particularly the youth that zero and the decimal system were India’s gift to the world and that the world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC.

    Whereas in ‘Bharat Ko Mano‘ session the youth was enlightened about modern India and its innovations, like successful Mangalyaan mission, India’s missile technology, and expertise in Information Technology.

    BOX ITEMS:

    PDB & Gandhi Kin:

    Former West Bengal governor and Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi decided to give PDB a miss despite an invitation for the meet which celebrates 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India. Gopal Gandhi was invited to speak on Day one of the event but skipped citing personal reasons, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. This has again brought to fore the issue of Gandhi’s kins deciding to disassociate with the Modi government on any event on the Father of Nation. Earlier Rajmohan Gandhi too decided to give PBD as miss.

    African National Congress & Gandhi:

    It is not a widely known fact that return of M K Gandhi to India and birth of ruling African National Congress (ANC) coincides on January 9. The ANC was formed 103 years ago on the very same day. South Foreign Minister who is the Guest of Honour for PBD and her Indian counterpart today decided not to allow this common heritage to fritter away.



    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in