Spotlight

New Delhi, 7 October 2015

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: No More A ‘Mela’

New Delhi, 6 October 2015 (INFA): No more a mela (festivity), but ‘outcome driven’ convention. Well, that’s what the Ministry of Overseas Indians under Sushma Swaraj has envisioned for the ensuing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) next year. Instead of the usual mega yearly event it is going to be held now every two years. However, in the year between, experts from various countries will be invited to have a “brainstorming’ sessions on the issues raised at the previous PDB deliberations.

The change in outlook has been a “collective one” said Swaraj as the PBD conventions (13 held so far since 2003) were more a festivity with no real discussions taking place on issues concerning overseas Indians. It shall now be ‘outcome driven’ with people being invited to discuss issues such as “Make in India”, ‘Skill India, “Digital India”, “Clean India”, labour problems in West Asia etc. This smaller convention will be held in Pravasi Bharat Kendra which is now ready to host the first one in 2016. There will be less people (150 invitees as suggested by the Indian missions abroad) but should help bring about a more significant change. The outcome from brain-storming sessions would then be spelt out in the bigger convention to be held in 2017.

While Swaraj said that it cannot be said to her idea alone, the new paradigm shift in engaging the overseas community was realised after the past PBD held in Gujarat. The biggest so far but having precious little impact. This apart, the Ministry has decided to have an online quiz programme “Bharat Ko Janiye” (Know India), which is geared towards the Pravasi Bharatiya youth. While the young generation (18 to 35 years) of the People of India Orgin (PIOs) would be the 4^th or 5^th, the NRIs would also be going into the second-third generation, obviously not well-versed with India.      

The Quiz will have three rounds—two online and the third in India. Winners, 10 each, will win a trip to India, where the final round will be held. There would on ‘onsight’ contest and three winners chosen from each category, who will receive medals. This, the Ministry hopes will help the youth outside the country to know India—its land, people, culture, food and even modern Indian etc better. Details of the quiz will be on site from 12 November.

Additionally, it has been decided to have the regional PBD in Los Angeles as the largest overseas Indian community is in the US. While preparations will be afoot, all eyes would be on how the ‘outcome driven” PBD on 9 January 2016 pans out. What will be the agenda will provide an inkling whether there is more to it than meets the eye. ---INFA

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