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PM Modi inaugurates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar

by IBNS 08 Jan 2015, 11:19 am

Gandhinagar, Jan 8 (IBNS): Amid unprecedented security blanket, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this years edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Thursday in Gujarats Gandhinagar at the swanky Mahatma Mandir.

"World is seeing India with immense hope and optimism," said Modi as he delivered his speech at the inauguration.

 "I welcome all of you and say that there are several opportunities waiting for you in India. Times have changed very quickly," he said. He said Indian community is admired all around the world. "It is not due to the money but the values the Indian community is living with," he said.

He also referred to Mahatma Gandhi- centenary year of return of Father of the Nation to India- saying "the more the entire world gets to know about Mahatma Gandhi, it will be better."

 It has the strength to guide everyone, he said.  

 Sources said about 4000 NRIs from 58 countries will be attending the annual fest that brings together members of the Indian diaspora to engage and discuss investing in India.

 The Foreign Minister of South Africa Maite Nikoana-Mashabane and President of Guyana Doland Ramotar are also attending the inauguration.

 The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas entered its 13th year this year. The occasion has traditionally celebrated Mahatma Gandhi as the original NRI (non-resident Indian).

 2015 is also the centenary year of the return of Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915 from where he started freedom struggle against the British Empire.