Canada’s Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney and mayors of two Canadian cities: Brampton and Markham will be part of the over 100-strong Canadian delegation. Brampton city is popularly known as ‘Mini-India’

”This is the first time Canada’s Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney and mayors of two Canadian cities: Brampton and Markham will attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD),” the Vice-President of the India-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), DP Jain said.

The Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal has appealed to the Canadian-Indians who migrated from Punjab to invest in their ancestral home. He assured to give them land at easy terms and said their investments would be protected as per the law of the land.

As India will be celebrating the centenary of the famous uprising against the British colonial rule - Gadar Movement – the PBD Oration will be on this theme. An exhibition on this theme will also be organized during PBD-2013.

It may be noted, in context, the Sikhs participated in the Gadar Movement and a sizeable number of Canadian-Indians are Sikhs.

Canada, too, wants to attract Indian investment and this is the purpose for the high level visit. Minister Kenney, who is in-charge of immigration and citizenship, will discuss two-way visa problems with the Indian authorities. Many Canadian-Indians have urged for modification in Canada’s Super Visa Scheme for grandparents of Indians settled in Canada as it has become problematic.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is slated to be held in Kochi from January 7-9. ICCC is an organising partner at the summit, where Canada is a partner country. Kerala is the partner State.

Kenney will also be participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 in Gandhinagar.

“Our purpose is to forge linkages between the small businesses in Canada and India, and we have lined up over 30 interactive sessions, B2B meetings, seminars, and workshops during the next two weeks,” the President of ICCC and the leader of the delegation, Naval Bajaj said in a statement.

He said the mission comprised small businesses and several other prominent individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders. In addition to this being the largest delegation to India, there are several other distinguishing features to India Mission 2013.

The Canadian delegation will also be visiting Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Delhi and Amritsar.

The Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi had selected Kochi in his home State as the venue for this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas with a view to encourage a sizeable number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) working in West Asia and North Africa.

“Kerala has been chosen as the host for the convention since Keralites constitute one of the largest expatriate communities of India,” he said.

He expressed the hope that more than 2000 delegates would participate in PBD-2013 from all over the world.

Beginning Circa 2013, India has kicked off its diplomatic activity by inviting the President of Mauritius Rajkeshwur Kailash Purryag as the Chief Guest at this gala conclave of Overseas Indians.

The Mauritian President is a person of Indian origin (PIO) and will be accorded with Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Award by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

India has begun giving priority to its relationship with African Continent not only for trade and investment opportunities but also because of the large presence of Indian diaspora.

Recently the 9th World Hindi Conference was hosted in Johannesburg in South Africa.

The Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh will inaugurate this annual flagship event, PBD on January 8 and the President of India Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and also confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards to some eminent Overseas Indians.

Also pre-PBD seminars related to development issues such as skill development, pure sciences, tourism, youth and NRIs in the Gulf countries and plenary sessions on ‘India’s Growth: Greater Opportunities’, ‘Overseas Indians: Safe Environment’, ‘Engaging Young Overseas Indians’ and ‘Investment Opportunities in States.’ Since the event is being held in Kerala which contributes a sizeable number of persons emigrating to the Gulf region, there will be a special sessions on ‘Non-Resident Indians in the Gulf Countries.’

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and the PBD-2013 will be focusing on more connectivity with overseas Indians.

He said that the purpose of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians that would address their issues and concerns. 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. They also serve to build bridges between their present homeland and the land of their ancestors, he added.