India’s efforts to engage with the India Diaspora will receive a shot in the arm when the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 7, 2014to January 9, 2014, is organised in Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan which will seek to connect persons of Indian origin and non-resident Indians across generations. The main event will be inaugurated on January 8, 2014, by the Prime Minister of India.

• Day 1: January 7, 2014: Registration will begin at 8:30 in the morning, and then the opening session will start. A full session for young non-resident Indians would start after a 30-minute tea break. The session, “Sharing a Common Heritage: The Emotional Connect, Young Achievers,” would start after a one-hour lunch break, and there would then be a 30-minute tea break. At 4:30, the final session will begin, and at 7, the cultural activities and dinner, which will be hosted by the minister of external affairs, will begin.
• Day 2, January 8, 2014: After the opening remarks at 9:30, there would be a 30-minute tea break before the entire session on “India’s Growth & Development Agenda.” By 1 PM, a session on “India’s Soft Power” would start after a one-hour lunch break. Another 30-minute tea break would begin at 4, then the “PBD Oration.” The cultural activities and dinner will begin at 7 o’clock, with the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports and the Minister of State for Defense serving as hosts.
• Day 3, January 9, 2014: The Separate Parallel State Sessions would begin at 9:30 the following morning, immediately following the “Investment Opportunities in States” session. Sessions on Innovation and Technology, Healthcare Opportunities in India, Meeting of Diaspora Organizations, Making India the Hub of Media & Entertainment Industry, and Issues of NRIs in the Gulf would begin at 1:30 PM, followed by a one-hour lunch break. A second 30-minute tea break would begin at 4, followed by the Valedictory Session and the presentation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. The cultural activities and dinner, which will be hosted by HMOIA, will begin at 7 o’clock.

What is the history behind the initiation of the event?

The High Level Committee working on Indian Diaspora, under the chairmanship of L. M. Singhvi, was the first to give recommendations to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. On January 8, 2002, while attending a public function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, the Prime Minister declared “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) to be celebrated on January 9 of that year.

Pravasi Bhartiay Divas took a major leap in technology by its 8th event, when there was a live webcast of the event on the official website of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Also, Kotak Mahindra created an online platform, Pravasi Bhartiya, where live feedback and tweets were posted about the event.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the inception of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center to unite the Indian Diaspora.

When and where are the 2014 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?

In 2014, the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will take place from January 7 to January 9. This year’s event will take place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

What is the theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014?

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014 event will focus on “Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations” this year.