Sri Lankan Tamil issue was also taken up for discussion in the Upper House of the Parliament today where the External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna assured that he would take up the issue with Sri Lankan.

Thousands of Tamils were massacred by the Sri Lankan Army in its attempt to flush out LTTE base. The UN report has also castigated the Sri Lankan government about its human rights violation.

The tenth edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is scheduled to be hosted in Jaipur in Rajasthan from January 7 to 9 next year. The PBD 2012 will be held in partnership with the Rajasthan Government and the Confederation of Indian Industries will be the institutional partner.

“We expect about 1500 delegates of Overseas Indians, despite the current global slowdown. Overseas Indians are still in better financial position. There will be an increased participation from African countries, “ said Ravi.

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Kamla Persad Bissessar will be the chief guest. The theme of the conference will be “Global Indian – Inclusive Growth.”

PBD-2012 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on January 8 and the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and delver her valedictory address on January 9.

There will be two pre-conference seminars on `Investments in Solar Energy and R&D’ and ‘Social Entrepreneurship in Water’. An eminent Overseas Indian will deliver the PBD lecture series.

Rajasthan Industries Minister, Rajendra Pareek said :”we will see that the delegates get accommodation in hotels at a discount of 20%.”

The Overseas Indian Affairs Minister was of the view that Rajasthan, being an attractive tourist destination, would be the some suitable venue for PBD-2012. People from north and western India have begun moving out for job opportunities in the Gulf countries and Rajasthan as a venue would encourage the local people.