Weak response to Pravasi function this year

As more than 1,000 non-resident Indian (NRIs) gather here at Vigyan Bhawan for the annual two-day celebration of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) tomorrow, they will be representing far fewer countries than they had done in the past.

According to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, this year, the people of Indian origin would be representing 43 countries as compared with 50 in 2007 and 55 in 2006.

Accordingly, the ministry has not raised its expenditure on the event as it remains a steady Rs 6 crore like last year.

The two-day event would see Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, grandson of the legendary Sir Seewosagar Ramgoolam, who is known as the father of Mauritian nation, as the chief guest of the event.

Navinchandra Ramgoolam represents the new breed of globalised PIOs who have made it big before taking up political positions. He rather appropriately would be addressing the conference on the topic of 'Globalisation of the Indian diaspora'.

The Mauritian PM, whose forefathers hailed from Uttar Pradesh, is a professional doctor who has studied and worked in London before heading his party and leading it to victory at the elections for two terms.