11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Exhibition inaugurates

Kochi: Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs inaugurated the exhibition in Kochi today as part of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention. The seminars on NRI in the Gulf, Tourism, Pure Sciences and Skill Development were also held in the venue. While inaugurating the seminar on “NRIs in Gul” Shri Vayalar Ravi said that the problems faced by NRIs in Gulf should be addressed and suggestions to sort out the problems will be put up with the centre. On the occasion, Shri. E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs praised the sharp increase in remittances by NRIs to India, especially from Gulf countries. Shri. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister, Kerala discussed the issue of voting rights to non-resident Keralites in local body election. Shri. Ravi and Shri. Chandy also released two reports at the seminar; - ‘Connecting with Indian Diaspora’ and ‘India Migration Report 2013

The 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is being held from 7 to 9 January, 2013 in Kochi. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the annual flagship event of the Ministry on January 8 and the President, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and also confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards. The President of Mauritius, Shri Rajkeshwur Purryag will be the Chief Guest of the convention. The centenary of the Gadar Movement is being celebrated in 2013, as the PBD Oration is on the Gadar Movemen. In this regard, an exhibition also being organized during the event.
(Source PIB)