Why NRIs attend PBD every year

Every year, hundreds of non-resident Indians diligently gather in New Delhi to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from their different far-off adoptive nations for three days.

This year, a total of 1,500 participants converged on January 9, the day when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa 85 years ago.

But what makes the NRIs -- including journalists, diplomats, observers, businessmen, and professors among others -- fly thousand of miles just to attend the annual function every year?

An NRI from the Gulf, who has been attending the meet the last seven years, said the PBD was a platform for him and other NRIs from the Middle East to express their grievances to the Indian government.

"Attending the PBD is very useful. I came here and told the Indian officials about the problems we face there (Gulf). They have always given us a patient hearing. When they come to our place of work, they mention our problems to the government and get our problems solved. There is a difference when the Indian government highlights our problems to the government. Remember, unlike the west or the east or any other foreign country in the world, we do not get residency or immigration in the Middle East. Some of us have been there for decades, but we remain workers. But this way, we also never lose our Indian citizenship," he said.

K R Somasundaram, recipient of the 2007 PBD Samman award, from Malaysia said he had benefited from attending the PBD every year.

"There are many investing opportunities here and I would not have known about them if I had not attended the PBD. I am in the palm oil business in Malaysia, and after attending the PBD, I started a palm oil factory in Andhra too. Another advantage is that I have met many other NRIs in the same business from other parts of the world".

Somasundaram's father had immigrated to Malaysia from Tamil Nadu decades ago.

Most NRIs also attended the special sessions convened by the Indian states from where their families had hailed.

For Nandika Chand, a journalist from Fiji, the PBD gave her the opportunity to visit India for the first time. Chand's forefathers hailed from Tamil Nadu.

She said she was happy with what she saw and said it was a learning experience.

"I will definitely come again," she said, who had come along with a group of 20 journalists to the PBD.

She said she found Delhi's winter unbearable as Fiji had a hot climate. Chand's group will be traveling to Mumbai after the PBD.

Sabitrie Gangapersad, a reporter from Suriname, said she was very happy meeting people in India.

"People are so friendly here," she said.

Yogas Nair, a journalist from South Africa, said she always loved traveling to India and had also planned to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru before returning home.

"I love traveling in India, there is so much to see," said Nair.

An Indian-origin lawyer from Australia, who had attended the PBD for the first time this year, said they were being treated like angels, whereas they were just like any other citizen.

However Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi corrected him. "NRIs are special. This conference is for them. I am their minister."

For 40 youngsters, who were part of the 'Know India' programme -- an internship porgramme for Indian Diaspora youth conducted by the Indian government, said it was an experience they would treasure their entire lives.

For most of them, the PBD is the right platform to look for business opportunities and better investment options, while for some it is an occasion to travel and know India better. However, it cannot be all about money and opportunities; there is an emotional connection that brings them back to India every year.

Image: Indian-origin delegates at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010.