The sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was inagurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The prime minister announced that the government will set up a Global Advisory Council for Persons of Indian Origin. He said the council would comprise persons of Indian origin from all walks of life across the globe.

The idea of an annual conclave, to be called the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first recommended by the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora in 2002.

The following year, the first PBD was held from Jan 9-11, inaugurated by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to commemorate the anniversary of the return of the most well known non-resident Indian, Mahatma Gandhi [Images], to India to lead the freedom movement.

Over the years, the PBD has become the platform for the Indian government to announce initiatives to woo overseas Indians, who as they grew in profile and stature in the countries in which they settled, also looked for ways to 'give back' to their native country.

Representatives of an estimated 25 million Diaspora spread across the world will brainstorm with officials and leaders of business and society to look for ways to contribute to the Indian growth story.

Photograph courtesy : PIB