He said that so far, delegates from 38 countries have registered for participating in the event. He further said that the effort is to have a more meaningful and interactive event that would address issues and concerns of the overseas Indian community effectively. He said that overseas Indians have emerged as important constituents of their adopted countries. They have contributed to transforming the economies, participating in political process and added value to thought and innovation of their destination countries.

The Minister said that the theme of PBD-2011 is 'Engaging the Global Indian”. The event will be held from 7th to 9th January-2011 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event is organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region along with eight North Eastern States and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He said that the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the convention on 8th January. The President, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2011 to distinguished PIOs/NRIs and will deliver the Valedictory Address on 9th January.

Highlighting the main features of the convocation, Shri Ravi said that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) and eight North Eastern States will be partner of 9th PBD. A special session focusing on the North East is being held on 7th January, 2011 besides a special plenary session ‘Investment opportunities in North Eastern Region’ on 8th January, 2011. He said that the focus of PBD-2011 is going to be on the young overseas Indians. In an endeavour to connect with and engage the younger generation of the overseas Indians with emerging India, a plenary session on “Engaging with the young overseas Indian” is being organized. He also informed that two pre-conference seminars on health and education sectors are being organized. The annual PBD oration is being called the C.K. Prahalad Memorial Lecture, which to be delivered by Dr. Gautam Ahuja of the University of Michigan. The PBD-2011 would be web cast online and summary of proceedings put out each day. The interactive website would provide an opportunity for the Diaspora to participate in the conference from any corner of the world, he added.

Addressing the conference, Shri. B. K. Handique, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region said that the PBD will showcase the essence of North Eastern Region and provide a platform for participant NRI’s to explore North Eastern Region. He hoped that many NRI’s of North East Region would participate in the event. He said that both the ministries are working together for skill development of youths from North Eastern Region in healthcare, hospitality and tourism sectors to improve the prospects of employment both in home and abroad. He expressed satisfaction over that participation of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in PBD-2011. Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary, MOIA was also present in the conference.