LOK SABHA
The sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference was organized at New Delhi on 7-9 January, 2008. The event was organized in partnership with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The theme for this year’s PBD was “Engaging the Diaspora: the way forward”. The Conference included plenary sessions on ‘Social Development Challenges in India: Health & Education’, ‘Investment & Infrastructure’, ‘Trade & Business Opportunities’, ‘Developmental Challenges of States: Partnership Opportunities’, ‘Diaspora Philanthropy: Empowerment of Rural Women’. Concurrent Sessions on ‘Knowledge Economy’, ‘Culture’ and ‘Challenges in Women Empowerment and Leadership’ and Regional Working Sessions on ‘Gulf’, ‘Asia-Pacific’, ‘Africa’, ‘Americas’ and ‘Europe’ were also held as part of the Conference. In all, 1500 people participated in the conference. A list indicating the number of registered participants, country-wise, is enclosed.
A highlight of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008 was a plenary session on ‘Diaspora Philanthropy: Empowerment of Rural Women’. It was for the first time the potential of overseas Indian engagement through innovative schemes such as extension of micro-credit through self help group of women for their empowerment was discussed. The direct outcome of this session is a proposal to establish and promote an ‘India Development Foundation’ as an autonomous not-for-profit Trust. The foundation will serve as a credible institutional mechanism to lead overseas Indian philanthropic propensities into human development efforts in India. The Foundation will assist overseas Indians to contribute to the cause of education, health and rural development in their erstwhile home villages, districts or states in partnership with credible NGOs and philanthropic organizations engaged in the social development sector in the country.
This information was given by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today
PKM/Hb
(Release ID :36041)