Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012 (The 10th Pravsi Bhartiya Divas) held in Jaipur

The 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) was held on 7-9 January, 2012 at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur. Highlights of the 10th PBD are as following:

• The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad Bissessar was the Chief Guest of the event.
• The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh inaugurated the event.
• Over 1900 delegates from about 60 countries were participated this year’s PBD.

• The Global Indian: Inclusive Growth was the theme of the event and the focus was on India’s Social Development and the Overseas Indian community.

• Prime Minister announced a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund for overseas Indian workers. The scheme will encourage, enable and assist overseas workers to voluntarily save for their return and resettlement and old age. It will also provide a low-cost life insurance cover against natural death.

• Prime Minister also announced that pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable non-resident Indians to vote in national elections, the Government has issued notifications for registration of overseas Indians under the Representation of People Act, 1950. This constitutes the first major step to enable Indians resident abroad to participate in election processes.

• Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs announced that next Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2012 will be held in Dubai for the Gulf region.

• A Protector of Emigrants (POE) office was inaugurated in Jaipur during the event to facilitate overseas Indians and emigrating workers of this region.

• The Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced a new scheme, Know Rajasthan for NRI’s. Under this scheme 50 NRIs from 18-28 years of age annually would come on tour to the state. 90% expenditure of their Air Fare will be borne by the state Government. The expenditure on internal transport and residence will also be borne by the State Government.

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated in India on 9 January each year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the arrival of Mahatama Gandhi in India from South Africa. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region of India.