Five Indian ministers at Toronto's mini-PBD

TORONTO: Canadian Governor General David Johnston will join Vayalar Ravi, oversees Indian affairs minister, and his four cabinet colleagues in welcoming the Indian diaspora to the mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here next week. Preneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs, Ashwani Kumar, minister of state for planning and science and technology, Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications, Jitin Prasada, minister of state for road transport, Sam Pitroda, adviser to the prime minister, and Arun Maira, member of the Planning Commission, are other top Indian dignitaries attending the two-day gathering at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre here from June 9.
The biggest conclave in Canada of the Indian-origin people in North America and the Caribbean is expected to attract about 1,000 delegates.
With its theme of 'Building Bridges: Positioning Strategies for the Indian Diaspora,' the PBD will serve as a platform to the diaspora to connect with India and participate in its growth, say Indian officials here.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas "offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, advancing linkages across multiple sectors - business, innovation, healthcare and culture; fostering partnerships in the small and medium-sized business sectors, providing ideas for cultural, generational and gender connections and nurturing the rapidly growing relationship between Canada and India,'' says the Indian high commission.
Divided into various sessions, the two-day gathering will focus on India's strides in economic development, innovation, science and technology, healthcare and tele-medicine and explore possibilities of collaboration with the diaspora and Canada.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India (ASSOCHAM) will hold a round-table on business opportunities in India.
Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty and prominent Indo-Canadians, including Scotiabank vice chairman Sabi Marwah and Fairfax Holdings chairman Prem Watsa, are also scheduled to address the gathering. A performance by Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap will be part of the two-day proceedings.