New York will play host to the first overseas Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, as the India @ 60 festival unfurls later this week, displaying India’s economic progress through a series of events. Business conferences, concerts and receptions would be part of the 40 events that will be conducted over the four days, starting September 23, 2007.

The festival will be inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee. Other senior cabinet ministers would also be present during the event, including Kamal Nath, Commerce Minister, P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister, and Vyalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indians.

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has been engaged in promoting the event, and the organisation is hopeful that it would further add to India’s business. The CII has suggested carrying the India story to different parts of the world through an annual PBD overseas.

Representatives of Indian industry, which include Nandan Nilekani of Infosys, Sunil Mittal of Bharti Airtel, and KV Kamath of ICICI Bank will join the business sessions with NRIs Sam Pitroda, Rajat Gupta and others. Head honchos from American corporate giants would also participate in the event.

The American state would be represented by its secretaries of Commerce, Treasury and USTR, engaging in discussions with Indian leaders. The event will be co-chaired by Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and Bill Cohen.

A wide range of topics have been scheduled for discussion during the event, including foreign direct investment, infrastructure challenges, health and education.

The UN General Assembly and Bill Clinton’s global initiative conference are being held in the city around the same time, and the festival organizers hope to leverage on the presence of world leaders at the time.

Cultural events like music concerts and dance shows will be organized at different venues in the city. The opening ceremony will be held at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts.

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