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FICCI has announced that the Government of India (Minis try of External Affairs) and FICCI are jointly celebrating  Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9-11, 2003 for the first time since independence.

This was stated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee following the recommendations of a high level committee on the Indian diaspora headed by Dr. L. M. Singhvi. The committee had submitted its report to the External Affairs Minister on December 9, 2001. (The Singhvi Committee Report can be accessed at http: //www. indiandiaspora.nic.in).

The committee has strongly recommended that the constructive role played by the Indian diaspora, its achievements and goodwill towards India should be recognised and celebrated in an appropriate manner.

Thus, the ninth day of January has been chosen by the Government of India to be observed as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas every year. The choice of the date is significant as it was on January 9, 1915, that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.

Overseas Indians are today estimated to number over 20 million, spread over 110 countries across the world. And as entrepreneurs, workers, teachers, researchers, inventors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, managers and administrators and even political leaders they are serving their host countries with distinction. However, this has not detracted from their engagement with India which continues to be substantive and varied.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (January 9-11, 2003) will include several attractive features to engage the diaspora with India, its people and the Government. Vajpayee has agreed to inaugurate the event. Several other prominent members of the Union Cabinet, chief ministers of various States and senior government officials will be addressing the delegates during this three-day event.

A unique feature would be an exciting variety of entertainment programmes that will be put together by top stars of India’s entertainment industry. This would be accompanied by exhibitions and fairs of Indian art and crafts as also a mix of India’s rich gastronomical, tongue-tickling delights drawn from its unique culinary heritage.

This event will address the following objectives:

a. to engage with all NRIs/PIOs to understand their sentiment about India, their expectations from India, and to propose a policy framework for creating a more conducive environment for their sustained and productive interaction with India and its people;

b. to acquaint the Indian people with the depth, variety and achievements of the Indian diaspora and sensitise them to its problems and expectations from the mother country;

c. to provide an opportunity for members of the Indian diaspora to network and build relationships that criss-cross 110 countries of the world; and