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Indian Ambassador calls for Indians to attend PBD 2019 in Varanasi.

The Ambassador of India to Qatar, P Kumaran held a Press conference and an interactive session with the Indian community on the forthcoming 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 Convention which will be held in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), India from 21-23 January 2019. He informed at more than 100 participants are expected from Qatar. He also stated that in 2017, during the 14th PBD, 155 persons from Qatar had attended the conference in Bengaluru.

Under the Embassy of India, the Presidents of the four Apex bodies namely  Milan Arun of Indian Cultural Centre, K M Varghese of Indian Business & Professional Council, Devis Edakulathur of Indian Community Benevolent Forum and Nilangshu Dey of Indian Sports Centre formed a committee to coordinate a large delegation of Indians from Qatar to attend the event. The Focal Point and the Main coordinator of the drive is Seenu Pillai, Past Vice President of Indian Cultural Center.

Since 2003, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9 January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in 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, returned to India from South Africa.

In the PBD 2017 in Bangaluru, Dr.Seetharaman from Qatar was honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his contributions in Qatar. Before that Hassan Chougule, a leading Indian community leader in Qatar is the only other person who had received this award, with Indian Community Belevolent Forum having received the same as an organization.

The main theme of the PBD Convention 2019 is: "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India”. The venue of PBD 2019 Convention will be Deendayal Hastkala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre and Craft Museum) at Lalpur in Varanasi. This time participants are being offered option to take part in Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj on 24 January and witnessing the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi on 26 January.