JOIN USState to showcase startup prowess at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to be held in Bengaluru from January 7-9, is an opportunity for Karnataka to showcase the rapid strides made by startups here, to the delegates, mostly non-resident Indians (NRIs).
The state government, during the three-day event, will focus on exhibiting the state’s strengths in the industrial sector to attract investments.
As many as 10 plenary sessions on various subjects will be held over two days. The first session will be on “Fueling growth through disruptive innovations startup ecosystem in Karnataka” while the second session is on “Invest Karnataka: Innovate, Invent and Invest in Karnataka.”
Major Industries Minister R V Deshpande, who is coordinating between the state and the Centre for holding this mega event, said, “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is definitely not an occasion to sign agreements for attracting investments. But we have decided to exhibit the strengths of Karnataka to NRIs and foreigners. We want to drive home a point that Karnataka is the best destination to invest. Bengaluru has grown into Silicon Hill, and it is no more Silicon Valley.”
Nearly 3,000 delegates, including 1,700 NRIs, would be participating. Countries which are participating include Australia, Canada, UK, USA, France, the Netherlands and West Asian nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive here on January 7 evening to inaugurate PBD the next day. Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa will be the chief guest for the inaugural session.
On January 9, President Pranab Mukherjee will present PBD Samman awards to 30 individuals who have excelled in their chosen profession. Karnataka has recommended six individuals for the awards.
However, the three-day event will begin a day before the inauguration by the prime minister. On January 7, Surinam Vice President Michael Ashwin Adhin will inaugurate the Youth PBD. The 36-year-old Adhin will address the gathering, comprising largely overseas young Indians.
Chief ministers of seven states have confirmed their participation.
The minister said beautification of select areas of Bengaluru has been taken up as many VIPs would be staying for three days, around the venue — Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Tumakuru Road.
The repair and asphalting of the roads leading from the airport to the venue and the surrounding areas have been taken up.
“We are ensuring that there are no traffic bottlenecks from the airport to the venue besides in Jalahalli. Even roads leading to Vidhana Soudha are getting repaired. There will be special buses for taking the invitees from hotels to the venue.”
Jai ho
The department of Kannada and Culture has lined up a series of cultural programmes in the evenings to enthrall the delegates for all the three days.
Vijay Prakash, singer and music composer, will present a music show for 30 minutes in the evening on January 7. He will present his signature song ‘Jai Ho.’ Cultural troupes of other states too will be putting up shows.