About 4,500 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from 85 countries have registered themselves for Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention or Indian diaspora conclave, which will be held in Varanasi from January 21 to January 23.
While most of the participants registered are from the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, 2,254 Indians are expected to attend the convention.
The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and prominent foreign guests, including Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Norway Member of Parliament Himanshu Gulati and New Zealand MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi will also attend the convention being organized by the ministry of foreign affairs on the theme of ‘Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India’.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj said the convention will be focusing on connecting a new generation of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with their home country.
“A total of 4,500 NRIs have registered themselves to take part in the PBD convention,” said district magistrate Surendra Singh.
According to the list of participants, 449 NRIs are from the U.S., 395 from UAE, 202 from Malaysia, 153 from Qatar, 109 from Oman and 104 from the United Kingdom will take part in the three-day event. Besides, participants from about 80 other countries will also visit Varanasi.
All the major events will take place at temporary NRI office created at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Trade Facilitation Center in Bada Lalpur area.
A tent city has been created at Aidhey village, where 1,480 guests will stay in 620 well-furnished cottages.
Besides the setting up of a tent city, a special part of the PBD will be “Kashi ka Aathithya”, whereby arrangements will be made to stay free of charge in the homes of residents of Varanasi.
-Sowmya Sangam
