City gears up for Pravasi Divas
Wednesday, July 06, 2011http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/City-gears-up-for-Pravasi-Divas/articleshow/9131245.cms
The countdown for the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2012 has begun as the Pink City gears up to host the mega NRI conclave between January 7 and 9. The conclave, a mega gathering of Indians overseas would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 8 with President Pratibha Patil's valedictory address on January 9.
The event is being jointly organized by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs, Rajasthan Foundation and the Confederation of Indian Industry. According to sources, special teams have been visiting Jaipur for a reccee. "Special teams have been coming from Delhi, including the secretary, ministry of overseas Indian affairs, and senior officers from the PMs' security team," a source said.
According to Vinod Ajmera, additional commissioner investment and NRI and executive director Rajasthan Foundation, "This would be a great opportunity for Rajasthan to showcase its heritage, tourism, industrial potential and rich cultural diversity. We expect over 1,500 prominent NRI delegates though the number is likely to exceed as chief minister Ashok Ghelot would be sending special invites to the Rajasthan Diaspora through the Centre."
The number is likely to swell with prominent personalities who have made a mark from across India in different spheres. And to facilitate this, organizers are preparing a separate data-base of Rajasthan NRIs across the globe.
This would include the likes of Rajasthan-born steel magnate Laxmi Mittal, chairman and chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaking company. Besides, "Special invites will be sent by the Rajasthan government through the Government of India to 500 prominent entrepreneurs, young NRIs, who have made the country proud.
And though there is little development on the proposed International Convention Centre, so far two venues have been short-listed to host the conclave. And since The Birla Auditorium may fall short of space, it leaves the recently-launched Marriott to host the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2012.
According to sources in the hospitality sector, all rooms in the city hotels are booked for the Pravasi Divas with NRI delegates, Union ministry officials, CMs and industry captains from across the country for the two-day conclave. Sources confirmed Rajender Pareek, minister industries, and NRIs have written to the minister for overseas Indian affairs, Vayalar Ravi, proposing a special performance 'Sarv Dharm Sambhav' by Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt for the delegates.
"Ministry of Tourism Government of Rajasthan would be offering special discounts on heritage properties and two royal trains around the conclave's dates. Hotels and Indian Heritage Hotels Association have also been roped in for special offers in Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner," Ajmera said.
Special cultural performances would be organized at a few venues which include Sisodia Rani-ka-Bagh, Jaleb Chowk, Amber, Kanak Vridavan, City Palace, Jai Mahal or Vidhyadhar ka Bagh.
