3-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 7 next year

 The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, off Bengaluru-Tumakuru Highway, from January 7 to 9 next year.

Industries Minister R V Destained told reporters on Saturday that the state government, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, will organise the three-day event. Around 2,500 non-resident Indians (Nevis) from across the globe are expected to take part in the programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are among the leaders scheduled to participate. The minister was speaking after chairing a meeting of officials to review the preparations for the event.

On Day One of the event, sessions will be held on the problems being faced by the NRI students and the impact of startups on society. On the second day, the main session of the NRIs will be held. The prime minister, the external affairs minister and the chief ministers of many states will participate. A session on the contribution of NRIs to the development of the country will also be held, he added.

Award ceremony is scheduled for the third day. Individuals with exceptional achievements will be honoured with the prestigious “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” award to appreciate their role in the country’s growth.

The Karnataka government will make use of the opportunity to showcase investment opportunities in the state. An exhibition showcasing investment potential in Karnataka will be organised during the event, the minister said.

Deshpande also said the government has recently registered a separate non-profit company by name Invest Karnataka Company to woo investments in the state.