By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : Vayalar Ravi, minister of overseas Indian affairs and civil aviation, is skipping this week’s mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here. Instead, Preneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs, will now represent the Indian government at the two-day diaspora gathering from Thursday.
Ashwani Kumar, minister of state for planning and science and technology, Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications, Jitin Prasada, minister of state for road transport, who were previously slated to address PBD delegates, are not coming.
Without giving any reasons for their pull-out, the Indian consulate here issued a brief statement, saying, “Mrs. Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, would be leading the Indian delegation to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Canada 2011.”
Though there was no confirmation yet, Sam Pitroda, adviser to the prime minister, and Arun Maira, member of the Planning Commission, are expected to attend the two-day gathering at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The biggest-ever conclave in Canada of the Indian-origin people in North America and the Caribbean is expected to attract about 1,000 delegates.
Governor-General David Johnston and Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty are among many prominent Canadians attending the Divas.
Two prominent Indo-Canadians – Scotiabank vice chairman Sabi Marwah and Fairfax Holdings chairman Prem Watsa – will also address the gathering.
Organized jointly by the Indian government and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, the PBD will have as its theme ‘Building Bridges:
Positioning Strategies for the Indian Diaspora.”
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas “offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, advancing linkages across multiple sectors – business, innovation, healthcare and culture; fostering partnerships in the small and medium-sized business sectors, providing ideas for cultural, generational and gender connections and nurturing the rapidly growing relationship between Canada and India,” according to the Indian high commission.
Various sessions will focus on India’s economic development, innovation, science and technology, healthcare and tele-medicine and explore possibilities of collaboration with the diaspora and Canada.
Representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) are also coming for a round-table on business opportunities in India.
Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap will perform at the gathering.
(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at [email protected])