US-based diaspora organizations have enumerated a list of suggestions that will benefit the international delegates attending the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) conference, set to take place in Indore on January 8-10, 2023.
In a letter addressed to V. Muraleedharan, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, the Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), Federation of Indian Associations of NY NJ CT NE (FIA), Association of Indians in America (AIA), Bihar Jharkhand Assoc. of North America (BAJNA), Gujarati Assoc. of North America (GANA) and the Brahmin Samaj of North America, presented their demands and expectations from the upcoming conference.
Close to 300 people attended Pravasi Bhartiya Divas promotional event organised by Indian American Business Council, Friends of MP & other Indian diaspora organisations supported by Indian Consulate. Some of them registered for PBD to be organised in Indore on 8-10 Jan 2023. pic.twitter.com/uURh4SUauB
— India in Chicago (@IndiainChicago) December 11, 2022
The letter included details of Travel costs for each participant (Avg. $3160 / ₹2.56 lacs / per person), time they will have to take off from their businesses/profession and age of the members attending (majority of whom will be over 60).
In line with the above, the Indian Americans urged the Indian government officials in their letter to provide easy accessibility, travel and hygiene during their trip to make it a memorable experience for the diaspora.
Some of the measures include providing transport from the airport with fixed-rate cabs, a welcome package with important phone numbers, a police and medical helpline, a map of the city as many attendees will be visiting Indore for the first time.
Additionally, the letter also asked the Indian government to ensure that the sessions of the conference are relevant to the diaspora and are “interactive and engagement filled”. The sessions “which showcase mutual benefits for the motherland and for the overseas delegates,” should be included, the letter said.
“Showcase should include tourism catered to NRIs, policies that NRIs benefit from and various categories of options the overseas diaspora can assess based on their interest. Breakout sessions on agendas and initiatives to showcase how the Govt. is aiming at improving options for the NRIs should be discussed,” it added.
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) conference organised once every 2 years involves policymakers, stakeholders, and experts from the abroad community. The upcoming PBD conference will be held under theme "Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal".
