Welcome Guest
The PBD provides a platform for overseas Indians to help bond with India. The theme of the PBD 2008 will be Engaging the Diaspora: the way ahead, giving an opportunity to help deliver your opinion and have a better discussion
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan Conference Centre, Maulana Azad Road, Delhi
Date: 7-9 January 08
Program
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Monday, 7th January 2008
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| 1900 hrs onwards : | Welcome Reception by Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs |
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Tuesday, 8th January 2008
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| 1000 - 1100 hrs: (Plenary Hall) |
Inaugural Session Lighting of the Lamp Welcome: Nirmal Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (show films) Address: Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi Address: Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Special Address by Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Chief Guest Mauritius Inaugural Address: Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India Release of Publications of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Vote of Thanks: Sunil Bharti Mittal, President, Confederation of Indian Industry |
| 1100 - 1130hrs: | Tea/Coffee Break |
| Distribution of kits | |
| 1130 - 1330 hrs: (Plenary Hall) |
PLENARY I Social Development Challenges in India: Health & Education India's much-touted demographic dividend faces serious challenges in the context of human development. PIO organizations have undertaken initiatives in education, health and rural development. GOPIO has adopted 50 villages in India and launched Gopio. connect for interaction of Indian NGOs with PIO. AAPI is commencing work for medical education and connectivity of physicians of Indian origin in America with villages in India. PBD 2007 had recommended establishing a foundation to collect funds for social development. How can existing models of engagement be scaled up? What are the new initiatives that the diaspora can take? How can the Indian government provide institutional support to such partnerships? |
| 1330 - 1430 hrs: | Lunch |
| 1430 - 1545hrs: | Concurrent Session 1 Knowledge Economy The Indian diaspora represents a formidable knowledge reservoir for India. In their countries of residence, overseas Indians have been acknowledged as knowledge leaders. The Indian Business School has revealed the success of engagement of overseas Indians in educational and research ventures in India. PBD 2007 had agreed that the NRI community can become India’s knowledge partner and recommended that the government establish and institutional mechanism to receive such knowledge. It had also mentioned engaging PIO youth in knowledge creation and sharing of knowledge. The proposed PIO university will actuate such partnerships. How can India’s global knowledge reservoir be tapped and leveraged for mutual benefit? What ideas and talents can overseas Indians bring to the table? |
| 1430 - 1545 hrs: | Concurrent Session 2 Culture India is acquiring a global cultural profile and gaining soft power in the process. Overseas Indians are true ambassadors of India, and the promoters of Indian culture in their homelands. Yet in an increasingly complex world, it is getting more and more difficult for them to pass on India's cultural heritage to succeeding generations. The current resonance of Indian movies, fashion, dance and music outside India derives much from engagement with overseas Indian youth. Colleges and universities abroad can benefit from hosting a professorial Chair for India Studies, suggested PBD 2007. How can linkages of overseas Indians with India's culture and traditions be deepened ? What are the ways in which diasporic youth can engage with India? What is the role of the Indian government in strengthening such ties? |
| 1430 – 1545 hrs: | Concurrent Session 3 Challenges in Women Empowerment and Leadership Women in India are making visible progress, reflected in their participation in grassroots politics at the panchayat level, their involvement in village and community affairs, and their empowerment arising from membership of microfinance groups. On the other hand, the dismal gender ratio, the estimated 'missing' female population of 20 million, and high maternal-mortality rates point to a continuing lacuna in Indian society. PBD 2007 had highlighted the struggles of Indian brides and female workers in moving overseas, and suggested that a closer network of overseas NGOs with Indian organizations could help alleviate some of these problems. How can society as a whole take up the cudgels on their behalf and empower them? What partnerships will succeed in assisting female Indians working overseas? |
| 1545 - 1615 hrs: | Tea/Coffee Break |
| 1615 - 1745 hrs: (Plenary Hall) |
PLENARY II Investment & Infrastructure If the Indian economy is to maintain its current growth momentum of 9% plus per annum, it must eradicate existing gaps in transport, communications and power, and lower transaction costs to become globally competitive. It has been estimated that the investment required in infrastructure for the next five years is $475 billion. Investment is also required in the manufacturing sector to meet the employment expectations of 10 million youth entering the workforce each year. Speakers at PBD 2007 had pointed out that India's infrastructure requirements represent a good opportunity for overseas investment but that more internal reforms were needed in India’s economy to attract FDI. How can the high demands be met by the private sector? What incentives can be offered to overseas Indians to divert funds into more profitable investments? What steps should be taken by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centers to assist such investments? |
| 1930 - 2130 hrs: | Dinner |
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Wednesday, 9th January 2008
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| 0930 - 1030 hrs : (Plenary Hall) |
PLENARY III Trade & Business Opportunities Business is the glue that binds countries together in this era of globalisation. India's corporates are no slouches when it comes to global competitiveness, and have been able to set world-class benchmarks of productivity and quality, attracting foreign funds in the billions. But there is a whole new opportunity at the Tier 2 business levels among Small and Medium Enterprises as well, incubators of entrepreneurship and generators of production and employment. PBD 2007 had recommended special financial instruments to facilitate overseas Indian investments. How can overseas Indians forge deeper and closer partnerships with business in India? What are the investment opportunities that afford higher returns to overseas Indians beyond mere bank interest? What business potential for the diaspora arises from the many Free Trade Agreements that India is negotiating? |
| 1030 - 1100 hrs: | Tea/Coffee Break |
| 1130 – 1300 hrs : (Plenary Hall) |
PLENARY IV Developmental Challenges of the States: Partnership Opportunities India's states have become microcosms of the growth process. There is a vast divergence in the rates of growth attained by different states in the country. While some states offer attractive and facilitative investment climates, others are lagging behind in both growth and development. Per capita income differentials are as high as three-four times between the richest states and the poorest states. Yet the dream of inclusive growth will remain unfulfilled if all states do not progress equally. PBD 2007 had participation from 8 Indian states, promoting ways in which the diaspora could engage in development at the local levels. Well-attended sessions revealed the interest of overseas Indians in their home states. How can this interest be leveraged? What can states do to promote diaspora engagement? |
| 1300 – 1400 hrs: | Lunch Break |
| 1400 - 1515 hrs: | WORKING SESSIONS ON REGIONS : Working Session: GULF |
| 1400 - 1515 hrs: | Working Session: ASIA - PACIFIC |
| 1400 - 1515 hrs: | Working Session: AFRICA |
| 1400 - 1515 hrs: | Working Session: AMERICAS |
| 1400 - 1515 hrs: | Working Session: EUROPE |
| 1530 – 1645 hrs: (Plenary Hall) |
PLENARY V Diaspora Philanthropy: Empowerment of Rural Communities The Indian diaspora has been generous in what it has given to its mater. In terms of knowledge, funds, support, and investments, it has pledged its allegiance to family and countrymen. Many have delineated the areas in which they want to participate - be it education, health, culture, or business. But there are not enough systems in place that will encourage their trust towards civil society organisations, and many do not know what to do with their money and ideas. The Indian American Council has created a platform for Indians in America to engage constructively with India's development. PBD 2007 suggested a foundation for attracting philanthropic funds and amendment of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. This panel will discuss the modes of participation and the kinds of institutional support systems that the diaspora requires. |
| 1645 - 1715 hrs: | Tea/Coffee Break |
| 1730 – 1830 hrs: (Plenary Hall) |
Valedictory Session & Presentation of Samman Awards National Anthem Welcome : Nirmal Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Citations and Awards Mr. Tejendra Khanna, Lt. Governor, National Capital Territory of Delhi Pratibha Patil, President of India will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (Remarks by Award Winners - to be decided, if necessary) Address : Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Valedictory Address: Pratibha Patil, President of India Vote of Thanks: Sunil Bharti Mittal, President, Confederation of Indian Industry National Anthem |
| 1930 hrs - 2200 hrs: | Farewell Dinner |
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