The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from 07-09 January 2009. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 8th January. The President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil delivered the valedictory address on the 9th. She also conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009. The Convention was organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would be the institutional partner. This was the first time, Chennai hosted the Convention.

The 7th PBD focused on issues relating to the role of Overseas Indians in India's emergence as a global power. PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin on matters of common interest. These Conventions enable the Government of India to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indians from the land of their ancestors and to acknowledge their role in India's all round development and its efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations. Formation of a separate Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in 2004 is a testimony to the importance attached by the Government towards the well-being of the Persons of Indian Origin and their close affinity with India.

Decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at such Conventions include formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualisation of a PIO University, formation of Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and setting up of an India Development Foundation. Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are designed specifically for Diaspora youth.

key highlights of pbd 09

• Nearly 1500 delegates took part in the Convention from 48 countries. Including exhibitors, the number is over 3000.
• Maximum numbers of 270 delegates were from Malaysia followed by 127 from USA.
• The Global Indian knowledge Network was launched to create a virtual think tank by connecting the diaspora.
• Qualified professional holding OCI card can practice in India.
• Smart card to be issued to all Indian workers immigrating from 1st June this year.
• Government of India, the diaspora and all stakeholders reiterated their commitment to strengthen bond and work for mutual benefit.
• During all sessions, it was acknowledged that India’s growth story remains positive and presents an opportunity for profitable engagement between India and diaspora.
• Chief Ministers highlighted investment potential in their states and extended support for diaspora investment.
  9. Union Ministers conveyed to the diaspora the potential in their sectors and invited them to participate in projects.
• During the sessions, there was a consensus for increased diaspora participation in health, education and rural development in the mode of public-private partnership.
• Chief Ministers and other state-level Ministers gave details about the business / investment opportunities in their states in separate interaction with PIOs/NRIs.
• Delegates were also clarified on various existing policies and programmes of MOIA affecting PIOs/NRIs.
• 13 recipients from across the world were presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009.

PBD sessions highlight investment opportunities in India

Continuing on its objective to deepen economic engagement with the Indian diaspora, three concurrent sessions at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009 addressed opportunities presented for investment in India. The PBD convention was being held in Chennai from 7-9 January by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamilnadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The consensus was that the Indian growth story is still intact and overseas Indians can take advantage of business opportunities across sectors such as real estate, education and healthcare.

Addressing the session ‘Building Bridges: Trade and Investment’, Dr Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, pointed out that India is still a good growth story, as its economic fundamentals are strong. A GDP growth of 6.5% is expected, even while most countries are suffering economic downturn. He stressed that the diaspora must bring funds into India. At the same time, it should engage in skill-building activities in the country.

Mr. Gopinath Pillai, Ambassador-at-large and Chairman, Institute of Asian Studies, Singapore, said that compared to the Chinese Diaspora, Indian Diaspora has brought in less investments, but on the other hand, it has brought better skills which is also of enormous significance. He suggested that to properly utilise the skills of returning workers, they should be involved in developmental activities.

Mr. Hari Pandey, President, Wealth Management, North American Region, ICICI Bank Group, Canada, stressed that overseas Indians must show the world how to invest in India. Mr. Ravi Pillai, Managing Director, Nasser S Al–Hajri Corporation, Bahrain said that the diaspora should uncompromisingly endorse India and Indian products should be used by them to the maximum. Mr. Jayadev Galla, Managing Director, Amara Raja Batteries Ltd, Hyderabad, India, stressed the importance of returning to the roots. Chairing the session, Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Vice President, CII, opined that with a large and growing middle class with increasing purchasing power, and exports at 15% export intensity, the investment potential for India is high.

Continuing the emphasis on education and knowledge exchange at the concurrent session on Education and Diaspora Knowledge Network, Chief Guest, Smt. D Purandeswari Devi, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, urged the Indian diaspora to supplement the efforts of the Indian Government to make India a knowledge-based economy. The Minister outlined the educational initiatives of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meals Scheme, which have attracted more students to schools. However, she urged, there is a long way to go as 7 million children are still out of school and about 25 percent faculty shortfall is being experienced.
Datuk Dr. S Subramaniam, Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia, and Guest of Honour, pointed out that Diaspora Knowledge Network should not only focus on Diaspora-Home country relations but also strengthen Diaspora-Diaspora relations. In response to his call, the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, who was present among the audience, readily accepted his suggestion.

Mr. S Ramadorai, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Consultancy Services, Mumbai pointed out that Internet has become an important means of global integration and Diaspora Knowledge Network has great potential. However, he urged that the portal should result in concrete collaborations and generate ideas and transform them into community actions. Lord Diljit Singh Rana, MBE, Founder and Chairman, Andras House Ltd., UK, mentioned the successful Irish experience of knowledge network. Talking about the role of diaspora in the delivery of education, he recommended that an Advisory Panel at District level be considered in order to better coordinate with the diaspora. Mr. Ravi Seethapathy, Chair, Canadian Advisory Council of the Sastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Canada, talked about possible operational difficulties in the Global-INK concept. He pointed out that the Government should think about the ways and means of sharing the knowledge in different layers of civil society.

Dr. Raj P Warrier, Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, Manipal, in his address outlined the plans for the PIO university and its proposed role in greater integration with the Diaspora. Mr. P Kishore, MD, Environ Systems, offered three solutions for the present education problems in India – Technology as a Solution; Technology-enabled Institutions and Enhanced Private Investments in Education. The concurrent session was chaired by Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor, Houston University, USA.

The concurrent session ’Building Bridges: Media & Entertainment’ was chaired by Mr. N Ravi, Editor of the Hindu. The Guest of Honour was Dr. P Ramasamy, Deputy Chief Minister, Penang, Malaysia. The speakers included Mr. Shan Chandrasekar, President & CEO, Asian Television Network International, Canada, Mr. Loganathan Naidoo, Executive Councillor & Deputy Mayor of eThekwini (Durban), South Africa, Mr. Venkat Raman, Correspondent, The National Business Review Editor, Indian Newslink, New Zealand, Mr. Prakash M Swamy, Indian American Journalist, USA and Mr. Ranvir Nayar, Managing Director, Media India, Paris.