Tuesday, January 4 2005 18:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Telecom industry expert Sam Pitroda and Economist Jagdish Bhagwati, both from the US, and UK-based novelist Vikram Seth are among the 15 distinguished persons who have been selected for this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler said in New Delhi today (Jan 4, 2005).

The others include Amina Cachalia from South Africa for public affairs, Alokeranjan Dasgupta from Germany for literature, Lord Bhikhu Chhotalal Parekh from UK for political studies, Manoj Night Shyamalan from the US for cinema and Sant Singh Virmani from Philippines for agricultural science. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Mumbai on January 7 and President A P J Abdul Kalam will confer the awards at the valedictory session on January 9.

Owing to the tsunami tragedy, all the celebration events like cultural programmes, entertainment functions and 'thanks giving' dinner have been cancelled, Tytler told reporters.

Over 1900 delegates including 1400 overseas Indians from 60 countries are taking part in the meet which has been structured this year in a "very focussed and business-like manner" the Minister said.

Asked about the status of dual citizenship, he said registration in this regard had begun from November last year in a number of countries.

He hinted that the Prime Minister may make some announcements for the benefit of people of Indian origin (PIOs) and NRIs in Mumbai.