Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India has been organizing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations from last six years. Government of Gujarat has been regularly participating in this event. This time the seventh celebrations were held in Chennai during 8-9 January, 2009. The theme of the Event was Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Ahead aiming to associate NRIs in the development process of India.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th January, 2009 which was also attended by HE Mr Ramdien Saredjoe, Vice President of Surinam as the Chief Guest, HE Mr Angidi Chettiar, Vice President of Mauritius, Mr Mahendra Chaudhury, former Prime Minister of Fiji along with other dignitaries. From Gujarat, a high level delegation led by Hon’ble Chief Minister participated in the event. About 1,500 delegates from different parts of the globe participated in the event. The event comprised of various sessions over two days covering the entire gamut of Indian Diaspora - India as an Emerging Power : The Diaspora Factor, Role of Diaspora Youth in 21st Century India, Building Bridges: Diaspora Philanthropy; Trade & Investment; Education & Diaspora Knowledge Network; Media & Entertainment, Increased Interaction with Diaspora Women, Health for All : Role of Diaspora, Indian Diaspora : Preservation of Language and Culture; Working Sessions on Regions such as Gulf, Asia Pacific, USA, Canada, Africa, Europe, etc.
Participation of Gujarat
Government of Gujarat was invited to participate in this event and iNDEXTb was assigned with the responsibility to coordinate all the activities relating to the participation of Government of Gujarat in this event.
A high level delegation led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi, comprising Shri Jay Narayan Vyas, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Tourism & NRG accompanied by other senior officers of the State Government and iNDEXTb participated in this event.
Exhibition
 In the state exhibition area, Gujarat was allotted a space of 72 sq. mtrs to develop a pavilion. The pavilion projecting Gujarat as the most modern and progressive state of 21st century in the country was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister for Health, Tourism & NRG, Shri Jay Narayan Vyas on 8th January.
In the exhibition, the main focus was on the core sectors of development with specific emphasis on economic and social sectors covering the initiatives of Gujarat Government, in the form of translites. Scrollers also exhibited the observations made on Gujarat by leading industrialists, opinion makers and international organizations. Due weightage had been given to infrastructure components like SIR, DMIC, SEZs, PCPIR, industrial development, etc. projecting Gujarat as the most modern and advanced state in the country. The event of VGGIS 2009 was also promoted in proper perspective.  On the social front too, the initiatives of the Government like providing 24 hour 3-phase electricity supply in all the 18,000 villages, Chiranjeevi Yojana, enrolment drive for girl child in schools, interlinking of rivers, upgradation of urban amenities etc were also depicted. Association of NRIs in the progressive march of Gujarat was also suitably solicited. The pavilion was visited by most of the participants of the event and they were impressed with the progress made by the state in different spheres of growth.
Plenary Session on 9th January, 2009
 On 9th January, 2009 in the morning, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the delegates of PBD 2009 at a Plenary Session on “Diaspora Interaction with the States”, along with Chief Minister/Dy. Chief Minister/Industry Minister of other participating states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Maharashtra, etc. Andaman and Nicobar  was represented by its Lt. Governor. During the session, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat had made an impressive presentation giving a brief account on the progressive work done in the state in different spheres of activities, leading to the well-being of the people of the state.
Exclusive State Session
 There was also an exclusive State Session on Gujarat on 9th January, which was attended by more than 250 NRI delegates. Hon’ble Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering urged the NRIs to get a feel of the investor-friendly environment created in Gujarat. He invited the participants to actively associate with the development process of the state in appropriate manner. Shri Jay Narayan Vyas, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Tourism & NRG while addressing the gathering informed of the steps being taken to improve healthcare infrastructure, to promote tourism and to establish close linkages with the Gujaratis overseas. He also gave examples of the guidance received from the dynamic leadership of  Hon’ble Chief Minister. He also appealed to the NRGs to come forward and associate themselves actively in the progressive march of their motherland – Gujarat.
Through participation in the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Gujarat could consolidate its image as the most progressive state in India, re-positioning its place in the minds of potential investors from overseas.
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