By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 3 Jan: Uttarakhandis from 17 countries are expected to participate in the inaugural International Pravasi Uttarakhandi Conference, organised by the state government. Over 50 prominent Non-Resident Uttarakhandis have already registered for the event so far.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is scheduled to inaugurate the one-day conference on 12 January. The event will feature panel discussions across four sessions, focusing on investment opportunities in Uttarakhand, hospitality and wellness, skill development, overseas employment, higher education, and potential developments in garden herbs.
Among the attendees likely to participate in the inaugural conference this year, are many distinguished individuals who have achieved success abroad, including Girish Chandra Pant from Dubai, a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Dev Raturi from China, Dr Anita Sharma from the USA, Bhuvan Tiwari from Japan, Sunil Thapliyal from Singapore, Meenakshi Dabral and Dr AK Kala from Thailand. Participants in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar, organised by the Government of India, will also join the event. Detailed programme information is available on the official website: pravasiuttarakhandi.uk.gov.in.
This initiative to connect migrant Uttarakhandis with their roots was spearheaded by Chief Minister Dhami. During a foreign tour preceding the December 2023 Investor Summit, he had received a warm reception from migrants who showcased Uttarakhand’s customs and traditions. Inspired by his interactions with successful migrants, Dhami directed the establishment of a Pravasi Uttarakhandi Cell and the organisation of this international conference. A similar event was held in Dehradun on 7 November, bringing together Uttarakhandis from across India.
Commenting on the upcoming Pravasi Conference, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami observed that migrants from Uttarakhand have excelled in diverse fields such as knowledge, science, technology, and entrepreneurship. He added that the government aims to harness their expertise for the development of their state and villages, offering full support to this endeavour. He also stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently encouraged non-resident Indians (NRIs) to contribute to their home states, yielding promising results in Uttarakhand.
