Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, 2010
Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward

The next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi from 07 to 09 January 2010.

The 8th edition of this flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has been differently structured this time around with a view to provide the delegates with an opportunity to interact with:

1. Cabinet Ministers from India on matters of interest and concern to them.
2. PIO Ministers/dignitaries from other countries on the expectations and aspirations of the overseas Indian community from the land of their ancestors and how they could work towards strengthening the relationship between India and the country of their residence.
3. Chief Ministers on issues their States need to attend on priority and facilities and incentives available in their states for the overseas Indian community.

The convention will have four concurrent sessions on: 'Investment', 'Knowledge', 'Philanthropy' and 'Gender Issues'.

PBD-2010 will also see the launching of an annual Lecture series under the overarching theme of 'India and its Diaspora: Everlasting Bonds of Togetherness'.

On cards is also a Golf Tournament, seminars on 'Nano-Technology' and 'property-rated issues' of NRIs/PIOs.

The high-profile convention will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 8th January. President of India will deliver the valedictory address on 9th January and would confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2010.

These conventions provide the largest platform to the PIOs and NRIs for exchange of views and networking on matters of common interest. 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, setting up of the India Development Foundation, enabling professionals holding Overseas Citizens of India cards to practice in India, launching of The Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global-INK) and the issuance of a smart cards for Indian workers working abroad.

The Convention is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the Government of NCT of Delhi. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would be the institutional partner.

Online registration has started from 15th September, 2009. Further details are available at www.moia.gov.in

Facilitation centre for NRIs

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has launched a facilitation centre, which will act as a "one-stop-shop" for addressing all the queries of the 25 million-strong Indian diaspora regarding opportunities available in the country. The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC), through its website (www.oifc.in) and offices, will provide reliable data on investment opportunities free of cost besides facilitating clearance of projects on an individual basis as a paid value-added service. The centre would also offer advisory services to Non-resident Indians (NRIs) like consular issues, financial services and their stay in India.

All India Radio Regional Language News Bulletins

All India Radio has placed its major regional language news bulletins on its website www.newsonair.com on experimental basis.
Any suggestions in this regard are welcome and may be sent to the Embassy for onward transmission to authorities in India.

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Seniors Act 2007

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NRI Registration Form

All Indian nations coming to Ukraine and intending to stay for extended period are encouraged to register themselves with the Embassy by filling up the NRI Registration Form.

Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards

The benefits

• The PIO card holder does not require visa to visit India
• There are special counters at the immigration check posts for speedy clearance. PIO card holder can avail the facilities given below in par with NRIs in different fields.
  • In the economic, financial and educational fields
  • Housing schemes of LIC, state government and other government agencies.
  • For admission of their children to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, institutes of technology, institute of management, etc, under the general categories.
  • Facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
• No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
• In the event of continuous stay in India exceeding 180 days, the PIO card holder has to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Where to apply
An application for the issue or renewal of the card can be made in the prescribed form accompanied with the fee and documentary evidence to show that the applicant is a person of Indian origin as defined.
These forms can be obtained from the office of the Indian embassies or Indian missions in the country where the applicant is an ordinary resident.
A PIO card is valid for 15 years from the date of issue, subject to the validity of the applicant's passport.

Cost
The fee is Rs 15,000 for adults and Rs 7,500 (or its equivalent in forex), for children up to 18 years of age. Prior to June 11, 2002, the fee was $1,000 for adults and $500 for children. They were valid for a period of 20 years. Those who have been issued cards prior to this date, will continue to remain valid and no refund will be paid. However, the validity of such cards can be extended by 10 more years without charging any additional fee. Earlier, if the application was rejected, half the fee was refundable.

In case of loss
On a request supported by the FIR and other documents, a duplicate PIO card can be issued on depositing a fee of $100 (equivalent to the exchange of local currency). Duplicate PIO cards will be issued by the same office that issued the original one.

The decision to give NRIs dual citizenship means that they will have most rights that resident Indians enjoy, but not the right to vote. Till now, dual citizenship is only extended to those settled in 16 countries - Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America.

For more information on facilities / benefits available to NRI/PIO, visit www.moia.gov.in

To know your entitlements of duty free baggage and related information (baggage rules) visit www.cbec.gov.in

To know more about Income Tax Rules, visit www.incometaxindia.gov.in