Chennai, Jan 7 : The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2009 will begin here today.

About 1500 delegates from across the world are expected to take part in the PBD.

The 7th Indian Diaspora convention is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The theme of PBD 2009 is `Engaging the Diaspora - The way forward'

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the PBD convention tomorrow.

President Prathibha Patil will deliver the valedictory address on January 9. She would also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards for 2009.

Several Central Ministers and Chief Ministers are also scheduled to address the delegates.

The focus topics for discussion include "Indian Diaspora : Preservation of Language and Culture", "Role of Diaspora Youth in the 21st Century India" and "India as an Emerging Power : The Diaspora Factor".

A special Trade and Industry Exhibition with participation from the Corporate, Financial Institutions, State Governments, NGOs and others will form part of the event.

The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) will set up a market place at the venue to facilitate business and investment.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin on matters of common interest.

These Conventions enable the Government of India to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indians from the land of their ancestors and to acknowledge their role in India's all-round development. (ANI)