Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 begins in Kochi

The 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, a three event will begin from Monday in Kochi. The theme of the Convention is 'Engaging diaspora: The Indian growth story'. The President of Mauritius, Rajkeshwur Purryag will be the Chief Guest of the convention. The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will formally inaugurate the event on 8th January. The President Pranab Mukherjee will address the valedictory function on 9th January and confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards. The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that the centenary of the Gadar Movement is being celebrated in 2013, therefore the PBD Oration will be on the Gadar Movement and an exhibition on this will also be organized during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. He said that PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and the PBD-2013 will be focusing on further strengthening this connectivity.