PBD an ‘opportunity for networking with members of Indian diaspora’

Indian ambassador P Kumaran has said the annual gathering held as part of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is an opportunity for Indians in Qatar to understand and interact closely with members of Indian communities elsewhere in the world.Kumaran said this yesterday at a gathering hosted by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) as part of preparations for PBD, which is to be held from January 21 to 23 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, northern India. “Besides a number of networking gatherings, there will also be special sessions for the attendees,” he said. This is the 17th PBD and at least 100 members of the country’s Indian community are expected to attend the three-day gathering. “Indians from Doha were represented in substantial numbers at the last PBD in Bengaluru and we hope this year’s numbers from Qatar would surpass even the previous edition’s record attendance of more than 100,” the ambassador said.The envoy and some representatives of forums operating under the aegis of the Indian embassy answered the queries of those present at the gathering yesterday. They explained how accommodation and other logistics would be arranged for those wishing to travel to Varanasi. PBD delegates are also given an entry pass to view the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, it was told.