Gandhinagar, Jan 7 (IANS) The inaugural session of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began here Wednesday with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj lighting the ceremonial lamp.
More than 4,000 delegates have arrived for the 13th PBD, the world’s largest annual gathering of people of Indian origin, aimed at enhancing networking and reinforcing commercial linkages.
There are 25 million people of Indian origin residing outside India.
The three-day diaspora conclave is being held at the Mahatma Mandir complex in Gandhinagar Jan 7-9 to mark the centenary of India’s “sarva sreshtha pravasi Bharatiya” or foremost Indian diaspora member, Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India.
The Mahatma Mandir is a sprawling complex spread across 60,000 sq mt.