The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that the annual overseas Indians' gathering, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, will be held in Bengaluru, from January 7 to 9. The 14th PBD will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the esteemed presence of his Portuguese counterpart, Dr Antonio Costa, also chief guest at the convention.
At a media address, Secretary for Overseas Indian Affairs Dnyaneshwar M Mulay said, "The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is a very important platform for engagement of the government of India and the state governments with the overseas Indian community. The Pravasi Divas had traditionally been held on January 9 every year to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi as 'Pravasi' from South Africa to India."
Theme for the convention, organised in association with the government of Karnataka is 'Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora'. The Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will also be held on January 7, and be inaugurated by Vijay Gel, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. On the opening day of the three-day convention, Minister of State for External Affairs Gen V.K. Singh (retd) will inaugurate the PBD exhibition, along with the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah.
