This is the first time the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has moved outside New Delhi. While the inauguration ceremony was held at the Admiral S N Kohli Stadium in Colaba, south Mumbai, the other events will be held at the National Centre for Performing Arts and Hotel Hilton Towers, both in Nariman Point, over January 7-9.
The shift makes sense in that the PBD has business and trade as one of its focus areas, and where else to discuss these than the country's commercial capital. But there were logistical reasons behind the change in venue as well. At this time of the year Delhi is fog-hit, affecting the attendees' travel plans. Mumbai, in contrast, experiences pleasant weather in winter.
Welcoming the delegates to the city, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh (left) took the opportunity to list out the state's social and industrial achievements.
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