The 7th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India in partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is scheduled to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre from 7 -9 January 2009. This is the first time that the convention is being organised in Chennai.

PBD 2009 will deliberate on issues of interest and concern to Overseas Indians, which include - role of Overseas Indians in India's emergence as a global power, Preservation of Language and Culture, Role of Diaspora Women and the Role of Diaspora Youth in the 21st Century India, Regional Working sessions on Diaspora in the Gulf, Asia-Pacific, Africa, USA, Europe, Caribbean and Canada, Building-the-Bridges Sessions on Trade & Investment, Diaspora Philanthropy, Education & Diaspora Knowledge Network, Media & Entertainment, and Tourism.

Separate sessions with the State Governments, a Trade and Industry Exhibition with participation from corporate sector, Financial Institutions, State Governments, NGOs and a market place of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) are other highlights of PBD- 2009.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Government of India will inaugurate the event and Mrs. Pratibha Patil, President of India will deliver the valedictory address at the three-day meet. The High Commission of India seeks the support of all overseas Indians and Persons of Indian origin for disseminating the information to appropriate individuals, groups and organizations, in order to make the forthcoming PBD a success. The website < www.pbdindia.org > contains more information.