Bengaluru, Jan 7 (IANS) The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day got off to a colourful start here on Saturday, with the young Indian diaspora from across the world connecting with their motherland and discovering its wonders.

"With 65 per cent of the Indian population being under 35 years, it's a great opportunity for the young diaspora to foster friendship, discover the country's hoary tradition and rich culture and identify with its ethos," said Karnataka's Industry Minister R.V. Deshpande at the inaugural session of the three-day event.

Lauding the contribution of the young Indian Diaspora worldwide, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel said the American business magazine Forbes had listed about 30 Indians below 30 years as super achievers and game changers in 20 industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, finance and sports.

"It's a matter of pride and honour that Chief Executives of Google, Microsoft and PepsiCo are India-born Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Indira Nooyi. President-elect Donald Trump has named South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, daughter of Indian immigrants, as the US Ambassador for the United Nations," said Goel.

About 400 young Indian diaspora participated in the a Youth Pravis Bharatiya Divas (PBD) at the inaugural session on "Role of diaspora in the transformation of India".

Suriname Vice-President Michael Ashwin Adhin and Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh also addressed the gathering on the occasion.

Being held for the first time in Karnataka at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on the city's outskirts, the three-day event has drawn about 1,800 NRIs from 72 countries to redefine their engagement with their motherland.

Besides, about 5,400 delegates from across the country are also attending the mega event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the event on Sunday and deliver the keynote address in the presence of Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa as the chief guest.

Celebrated every alternate year since 2015 in the second week of January, the biennial event commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915 and provides a common forum for addressing issues concerning the Diaspora, especially NRIs and PIOs.

About 10 plenary sessions are being held over the next three days on various topics, including two on start-ups and disruptive innovations and investment opportunities in Karnataka.

President Pranab Mukherjee will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards and delivery the valedictory address on Monday.

Other Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javedkar, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers H.N. Ananth Kumar and Niti Ayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant are among those who will address the gathering at the plenary sessions.

Chief ministers of seven states are also attending the event.

The state's Kannada and Culture department has organised cultural shows in the evenings to entertain the delegates for all the three days.

Be part of India's growth story, minister tells young diaspora

Bengaluru, Jan 7 (IANS) Union Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh on Saturday urged the young diaspora to be a part of India's growth story by tapping the opportunities the country offers through various programmes.

"India offers opportunities to be part of its growth story and realise your dreams through the government's flagship programmes launched to achieve developmental objectives," Singh said at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, held as part of the 14th Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day.

He said the Smart Cities Mission, Digital India, Skill India, Start-Up India and Swacch Bharat campaign are the Centre's flagship programmes for building a prosperous, skilful, enterprising, clean and futuristic country.

Asserting that global good could not be achieved by one country alone, as the global challenges were complicated, Singh said the Indian diaspora had to strengthen the bridges that connect it with the motherland and create new ones.

"You can transform your lives and that of India through four Ts -- talent, technology, training and team work -- as the Prime Minister's vision will make India the skill capital of the world by 2022," the minister told about 400 young members of the Indian diaspora.

By 2020, the average age in India will be 29, making it the world's youngest country with 64 per cent of the population in the working age group, he said.

The government had recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad, which will help the ministry estimate their exact numbers, map them and reach out.

Singh said the scholarship programme for diaspora children to pursue undergraduate courses in Indian universities and institutes had been revamped and extended to 66 countries from 44 and scholarship amount increased; besides a portal had been set up for online application and processing.

"We will be happy to offer expertise in your areas of interest. Training can also be through internships, volunteering or even philanthropy. The choice is yours," Singh said.

"Whether you are looking for adventure tourism, quality education, tech start-ups or even a market for novel utility products, India offers plethora of opportunities in cities and towns across the country," the minister said. 

The government had recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad, which will help the ministry estimate their exact numbers, map them and reach out.