HindiLearner News

7-9 January 2009, Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai (India)

Engaging the Indian Diaspora: The Way Forward

The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is scheduled to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from 07-09 January 2009. Organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), it would be the first PBD Convention organised in Chennai.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin settled all over the world on matters of common interest. Such Conventions have helped the Government to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indian Community from the land of their ancestors and acknowledge the important role played by it In India’s efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.

Among the decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at these Conventions, are formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, Conceptualisation of PIO University, formation of Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and the proposed India Development Foundation. A series of Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are also designed specifically for Diaspora youth.

Among other things, the 7th PBD Convention would have sessions on the preservation of Diaspora language and culture and the importance of Diaspora as facilitators and bridge builders. The highlights of PBD 2009 include an Exhibition on Trade & Industry, live demonstrations by craftsmen, cultural evenings and post convention tours.

The Convention would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8th January. The President of India would deliver the valedictory address and also confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009 on 9th January.

Interested In More Information?

Read the event brochure (pdf) here.

Dates: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

7th PBD Convention in Chennai(India) from 07-09 January 2009

PBD Singapore from 9-12 October 2008

Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

The 7^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is scheduled to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from 07-09 January 2009. Organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), it would be the first PBD Convention organised in Chennai.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin settled all over the world on matters of common interest. Such Conventions have helped the Government to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indian Community from the land of their ancestors and acknowledge the important role played by it In India’s efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.

Among the decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at these Conventions, are formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, Conceptualisation of PIO University, formation of Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and the proposed India Development Foundation. A series of Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are also designed specifically for Diaspora youth.

Among other things, the 7^th PBD Convention would have sessions on the preservation of Diaspora language and culture and the importance of Diaspora as facilitators and bridge builders. The highlights of PBD 2009 include an Exhibition on Trade & Industry, live demonstrations by craftsmen, cultural evenings and post convention tours.

The Convention would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8^th January. The President of India would deliver the valedictory address and also confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009 on 9^th January.

Singapore readying for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

SINGAPORE: The stage is being set for the first-ever Asia-Pacific “Indian Diaspora event.”

India’s annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is seen here as a festive conclave with “a global reach.” The ‘PBD Singapore,’ slated to be held for three days from October 9, will be a regional variant. The objective, according to the organisers, is to promote an event with a difference, which will be in tune with the City State’s efforts to remain “an economic hub” in the Asia-Pacific zone.

The prime mover is the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI). While the Confederation of Indian Industry has joined hands with the SICCI, the governments of Singapore and India have extended “full and active support,” according to Sat Pal Khattar, chairman of the ‘PBD Singapore’ steering committee.

Hindi Divas was observed on Sunday, September 14, 2008.

President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away 45 prizes and awards including the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi National Award for Original Book Writing on Gyan Vigyan, Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Award for Original Book Writing in Hindi and for excellent work done in Hindi in Central Govt. offices.

The President said that the official language can be further promoted when it becomes the language of the common man. Its simplification and the process of give and take vis-à-vis other languages can go a long way in promoting Hindi further. She felt that MNCs and the process of globalization have opened up new avenues of recognition for Hindi language. The writers as well as publishers should make earnest efforts in bringing out excellent and inspiring literature in Hindi. (full text of President’s speech is available on website presidentofindia.nic.in.

The Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil in his remarks said that the Government will never let the plans of anti-national elements succeed and will keep working towards thwarting any attempt to disturb peace. Appropriate action will be taken against those responsible for yesterday’s blasts in Delhi and due support would be provided to those affected, he added.

The Home Minister said that language has always been a unifying force and the Government is promoting all languages. Hindi being the language spoken by majority of Indians and the Rashtra Bhasha, continued efforts have been made to make it simpler and easy to adopt. The launch of new software would help further develop and promote Hindi. He assured all Government support in promotional efforts by the department. Shri Patil felt this language can achieve its higher position only when the respect towards it deep-rooted in our hearts. Shri Patil said that the Government is making efforts for recognition of Hindi as a language of United Nations.

MoS Home, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad in his welcome address said that Government of India is keen to promote Hindi but the objective can be achieved with the support of all those who are working in this field.

The Department of Official Language in the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for policy formulation and implementation as per the provisions of the Constitution in regard to Official Language. It has been the motto to propagate the use of Official Language amongst the employees of the Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations, Banks etc. through encouragement, persuasion and goodwill.

Three Softwares namely, ‘Vachantar’, ‘e-Mahashabdkosh’, and ‘Mantra were released on the occasion. To modernize the training system and language learning process these Softwares have been developed with the assistance of C-DAC, Pune. These are primarily in the fields of Hindi Teaching through various regional languages, (Lila series) translation from English to Hindi (Mantra) and automating typing out of Hindi dictation/ speech (Shrutlekhan) on the computer. E-Mahashabd Kosh a bilingual, bidirectional dictionary with pronunciation and usages etc. is also being developed by DOL and C-DAC. Continuous efforts are made to improve these language application tools based on the feedback received from the users. Publications brought out by the Department of Official Language are another important instrument in the field of publicity of Official Language..