The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a mega event is being organised at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore from 7th jan to 9 th January,2017in collaboration with the ministry of External Affairs and Government of Karnataka. The Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fair. sri. Antonio Costa , Prime Minister of Portugal will be the chief guest on 8th January and on 9th January,Sri Pranab Mukherjee, Honorable President of India will participate in the valedictory function of this fair. In this connection AIR, Bangalore has conducted an exclusive interview with Sri. R.V. Deshapande, Minister for Industries and Infrastructure , Govt. of karnataka. Sri. R V Deshapande has informed in his interview that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is started in the year 2003 and the fair is being organised once in every two year and last time it was held in Ahmadabad,Gujarat . He thanked the Central Government for providing an opportunity to organise such a mega event in Bengaluru. In this edition 4000 delegtes from India and as well as from 63 countries are participating in this event. He also informed that the Govt. of Karnataka is bringing a policy of NRI shortly and this event will boost the brand Bengaluru in the world map and it is an opportunity to showcase our strengths. He also informed that the event is being organised in an area of 1,30,000 Sq.ft. and 16 states are participating in this fair. Seminars and workshops are also part of the fair including seminar on Startup Innovation and Investment . Cultural programmes of Karnataka will also be presented before the delegates In addition Govt. of Karnataka has organised tour packages and industry visit to the delegates to showcase the development of Karnataka. Keeping in view of the general public of the city, helipads have been prepared at the venue to avoid traffic congestion in the city. Sri. R. V. Deshapande was interviewed by Sri. S.R.Bhat, Programmme Executive of AIR, Bangalore.
Contributed by :- Renuka Prakaash PEX, AIR Bangalore and Shri. Subray Bhat govehakklu@gmail.com