Kochi:
The three-day 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) which kicked off in Kochi early on Monday is the biggest ever held in the country, a Kerala minister has said.
Minister for Diaspora KC Joseph said they are delighted by the response from the people as the event saw more than 2,000 registrations.
"Another feature of this year's PBD is that this is the first time that there is going to be an exclusive session on Middle East," Mr Joseph said.
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi is leading the day-long Middle-East session along with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Mr Joseph. The whole of Monday would see discussions on problems that people from Kerala face in the region.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the annual flagship event on January 8 and President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.