India to hold mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Canada

India will hold a mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here to showcase the country’s colourful culture and traditions while strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.

More than 700 non-resident Indians from across North America are expected to participate in the two-day convention that begins on June 9, the Overseas Indian Affairs Secretary, Mr A. Didar Singh, told newsmen here.

The theme of the convention, jointly organised by the Government of India and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), will be ‘Building Bridges: Positioning Strategies for the Indian Diaspora’, Mr Singh said.

The convention will celebrate the contributions of the million-strong Indo-Canadians to the country’s society, he said.

“The convention and year-long events to commemorate “the Year of India in Canada” will give a big boost to India-Canada relations,” Mr Singh said.

The relations between the two countries have strengthened with the signing of crucial nuclear deal here last year and a decision to triple trade from the present $5 billion by 2015, he said.

2011 was declared as ‘Year of India in Canada’ by the Indian Prime, Dr Manmohan Singh, and his counterpart, Mr Stephen Harper, during the latter’s visit to India in November 2009, the Consul General of India, Ms Preeti Saran, said.

India’s art and culture as well as its rise as an economic power will be showcased by the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulate General of India in Toronto in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ms Saran said.

Efforts will be made to promote closer people-to-people ties across a broad range of sectors including business, she said.

Ms Saran said the million-strong Indo-Canadian community stands out in the 25 million global Indian Diaspora for building India’s bridges with the world.

Highlighting the accomplishments of the Indo-Canadian community, the Ontario Minister for Government Services, Mr Harinder Takhar, praised the Indian community for enriching the diversity of Canada.

The two-day convention will have three plenary sessions: Role of the Indian Diaspora in building economic bridges; Engaging the Diaspora Youth: Education and Innovation; and Engaging the Global Indians, spokesperson for the convention, Ms Asha Luthra said.

A 40-member business delegation from India is expected to participate in the convention, she said.

Besides, it would have five concurrent sessions that will cover a wide range of topical issues like Innovation, Science and Technology; IT in Animation, Film Industry and Visual Media, Healthcare and Tele-medicine and Small and Medium Enterprises, she added.

More than 50 experts in public policy and public affairs, corporate and business, medicine and healthcare, arts and culture, science and technology, youth and gender will be addressing the convention, the ICCC President, Mr Vinay Nagpal, said.

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