More than 150 participants have registered to attend the event this year, Kumaran informed.
In 2017, during the 14th PBD, 155 people from Qatar attended the conference in Bengaluru, he added.
Under the aegis of the Indian embassy, the delegation will be led by coordinator Seenu Pillai and the presidents of the four apex bodies - namely K M Varghese of the Indian Business and Professional Council, Milan Arun of Indian Cultural Centre, Devis Edakulathur of Indian Community Benevolent Forum and Nilangshu Dey of Indian Sports Centre.
Harish Kanjani and Palash Das have supported the preparation and distribution of the delegate handbook, diaries and badges among all the delegates from Qatar.
Since 2003, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community to the development of India. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government for mutually beneficial activities.
During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian diaspora.
On January 9, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi, the “greatest Pravasi”, had returned to India from South Africa.
The main theme of the PBD 2019 Convention is the ‘Role of Indian Diaspora in Building New India’. The venue will be Deendayal Hastkala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre and Craft Museum) at Lalpur in Varanasi. This time, the participants are being offered the option to take part in Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 24 and witnessing the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26.
