The three-day mega event of Overseas Indians known as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) will begin from January 7 in New Delhi with a special session on youth activity designed to open new horizons of a strong network of young overseas Indians to contribute to India’s engagement with youth in all sectors. The closing day of the event, January 9 is usually chosen as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead India’s freedom struggle and to change the lives of Indians forever.

The main session on “Aspiration of Diaspora Youth” on January 7 will be followed by concurrent sessions on “Sharing a Common Heritage: The Emotional Connect, Young Achievers” and on “Emerging India in a Dynamically Changing World”.

“I would like to invite Sri Rahul Gandhi to address the special session on youth at the PBD,” said the Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi while launching the programme for the 9th edition of the PBD, here on Tuesday.

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is the partner ministry alongwith the Delhi Government for this mega event. The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Jitendra Singh will also address the Indian youth diaspora. The apex Indian industry body, FICCI is the event manager for this high profile event.

The theme of the 9th PBD - Engaging Diaspora : Connecting Across Generations – explicitly indicates and specifies the role of younger generation of the Indian diaspora in the development programmes in the country of their origin. Also the conclave intends to generate awareness amongst the Indian youth diaspora about their ancestral home.

The mega event will be officially inaugurated on January 8 by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. A special session will be devoted on attracting investments by Overseas Indians. Chief Ministers of some states will be interacting with the India diaspora. Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) will be organizing a “market place” at the venue to provide business networking opportunity for the delegates.

“Decision will soon be taken to invite a prominent Overseas Indian to be the Chief Guest on this occasion. Also the list of recipient for Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Awards will be finalized,” said Ravi.

On January 8 there will be a plenary session on “India’s Growth & Development Agenda”, followed by other concurrent sessions on “India’s Soft Power” and “Investment Opportunities in the States”. These sessions will spillover to January 9. There will be concurrent exhibition showcasing with participation from State Governments, Indian corporate houses, financial institutions, NGOs and other sectors.

On January 9, the President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address and present the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Awards to 15 Overseas Indians.