The 17th edition Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention will be held from January 8 to 10 next year in Indore, Madhya Pradesh with the theme 'Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal'. Guyana president Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest for the event.
The convention celebrates the Indian diaspora around the world and commemorates the contribution of the overseas Indian population towards India's progress, according to a statement.
It is the flagship event of the ministry of external affairs and provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians.
"Ministry has approved waiving of Visa fee for PIOs visiting India to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, thus the Visa will be issued on Gratis basis." It added that room rates have been reduced by the government for the delegates/ participants.
Australian MP Zaneta Mascarenhas will be the guest of honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Last year, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention was organised on January 9, despite the ongoing Covid pandemic.
The convention was held virtually with the theme 'contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The Youth event was also held virtually on the theme 'Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora' on January 8.
For details-https://pbdindia.gov.in/pbd
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)