The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, will deliver the valedictory address on January 9th and will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
Addressing a press conference Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Sh. Vayalar Ravi said the purpose of the PBD is to have a meaningful integration with overseas Indians that would address their issues and concerns.
The PBD Convention provides a unique platform for overseas Indians to interact among themselves and with the Government of India and the Governments of various Indian States. It is forum where the Government of India showcases investment opportunities in India and its potential in various sectors.
Sh Ravi said that the key focus area of PBD 2014 is Youth PBD on January 7th. The event is expected to open new horizons of a strong network of Young Overseas Indians to contribute to India’s engagement with youth in all sectors.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will be the Partner Minstery for the event. India is a young nation and youth is one of the engines that drive a nation and if we are to propel India to greater heights, we need to harness this energy, Hence, it is in the fitness that the 12th editions of PBD is focusing on youth, the Minister added.
He said that India is fast emerging as a youthful and exuberant nation where approximately 50 percent of the working population falls in the age group 18-35 years. There has been a sharp reversal in migration trends and a number of experienced and educated NRIs are now returning home to use their knowledge to build an inclusive and economically sound future for the country. This led to the creation of a unique synergy where in young Indians worldwide are now set to shape the future of the Indian growth story. This synergy is expected to be directed by the core principal of inclusive prosperity and driven by innovation and technology.
Sh. Vayalar Ravi said that the demographic dividend expected from this synergy is the one which creates a self sustaining impetus where in young Indians are expected to contribute towards all the variables that determine economic growth.
They are attracting investment into the economy; being more educated than their previous generations they are providing the human capital required to service industrial growth; and finally are working towards building institution that are becoming a medium of change in society, he added, On the first day a session on ‘Aspiration of Diaspora Youth’ will be held during the Youth PBD. Followed by concurrent session on ‘Sharing a Common Heritage: ‘The Emotional Connect’, and on Young Achievers.
On January 8th, after the inauguration session, Plenary sessions on ‘India’s Growth & Development Agenda’, ‘India’s Soft Power and ‘PBD Oration’ will be held.
The final day of PBD will witness sessions on ‘Investment Opportunities in State’ and “Parallel State Sessions’ Concurrent sessions on ‘Innovation and Technology’; ‘Healthcare Opportunity in India’; ‘Meeting of Diaspora organization’; ‘Making India the Hub of Media & Entertainment Industry’ and “Issues of NRIs in the Gulf’ will be organised.
PBD 2014 will showcase the participation of the state governments, corporate, financial institutions, NGOs and other sectors through the Exhibition that is behind the Vigyan Bhawan.
