PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar will deliver the inaugural address to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference today in India, after which he is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Head of State, who is the Chief Guest at the event, is currently on a six-day official State visit to India. Yesterday, the President met with the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj and a number of other senior leaders.
President Ramotar will also be presented with the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians and People of Indian origin (PIOs).
Other notable Guyanese who received the award are: Former President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2004; Sir Shridath Ramphal in 2003; and entrepreneur, Mr Yesu Persaud in 2006.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9 every year in India. The event is also known as ‘Non-Resident Indian Day’, as it marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa on January 9, 1915. It also acknowledges the contribution of the Indian community living abroad to the development of India.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated over three days, from January 7-9, and is organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. It is also well supported by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region of India.

The event, which was started by former Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee also serves as a platform to discuss concerns and issues related to the Indian Diaspora around the globe, and holds much importance as it also helps in extensive networking among the Indian community.
This year, more than 3,000 delegates of the Indian Diaspora are attending the event.(GINA)