HYDERABAD: The Centre will consider a request by a delegation of People of Indian Origin residing in South Africa to commemorate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha by holding full-fledged celebrations in South Africa.

Welcoming the idea, Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Oscar Fernandes said at the valedictory of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas here on Monday that the Centre would examine how the celebrations could be conducted in South Africa where Mahatma Gandhi fought racism before returning to India to launch the freedom struggle. He said the Hyderabad edition of PBD had evoked a good response with 1,360 delegates from 51 countries taking part in the deliberations. The largest delegations came from Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island.

Mr. Fernandes said the Government looked forward to the formation of NRI Forum on HIV/ AIDS and its support to prevention programmes in the country. Participating in a panel discussion on "HIV/AIDS in India - role of diaspora", he referred to the effort being made by the PBD delegates to form such a forum.

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