By IRNA
New Delhi : The sixth Pravasi Bharatiya conclave begins in New Delhi Monday evening.
Over one thousand people from Indian Diaspora will participate in the three-day conclave.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas seeks participation of non-resident Indians in social development challenges in India with a special focus on rural health and education.
The other key areas to hog the limelight during deliberations include investment infrastructure, knowledge economy and challenges in women empowerment and leadership.
Development challenges of the states, culture and special sessions dedicated to (P)Gulf, Asia Pacific, Africa, US and Europe will be part of the conclave to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.
The Mauritius Prime Minster, Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, will be the Chief Guest.
According to an All India Radio (AIR) report, a specific session has been kept for the state Chief Ministers to make presentations for seeking investment in the states.
Most of the decisions taken in last year’s conclave have been implemented.
Setting up of a PIO University is on the anvil and a bill is likely to come up for discussion in the budget session of Parliament seeking right to vote for NRIs.
The Minister of Overseas Affairs, Vayalar Ravi has said that the Government has taken many initiatives for the person of Indian Origin and non-resident Indians for their long pending demands towards the mother country.
Giving away the annual global organisation of people of Indian Origin International Awards last night in New Delhi, the Minister said that the understanding between the Government and PIO for better environment and well together for India, has been formulated since the last 2 to 3 years.
Eminent PIOs from UK, USA, Middle East, Netherlands and Guyana were conferred Gopio community service awards by the Minister.
The large number of Indian community living abroad have hailed the government initiatives for bringing PIO communities together for working in the mother country.