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“Shun differences, Celebrate Indian-ness”, Indian PM’s Message at PBD 2006
BY UMA SHANKAR KALIVIKODI
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh gave a clarion call to the Indian Diaspora and to the Non-Resident Indians to forget their differences and labels and celebrate the common Indian-ness. He observed that “this is the high-time for all of us to become strategic partners in progress in a ‘one-for-all; all-for-one’ spirit. “I salute the overseas Indians, the workers and professionals, who are contributing with their skills and sweat to the economic development of our motherland,” he added.
Inaugurating the three-day 4th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas at the Hyderabad International Convention Center at the Hi-tech City in Hyderabad, Dr Singh reeled out a number of steps to establish greater connectivity between the Indian Government and the country’s mammoth Diaspora population. He termed the segment as an invaluable knowledge and resource pool.
He further said the important aspect of re-connecting with the world for India was to reach out to the people of Indian origin. “There is a fundamental difference between the globalization of India and many other developing countries. Globalization is a natural means of linking up with the International community of Indians. If there is one phenomenon in the world over which the Sun truly never sets, it is the phenomenon of the global community of the people of Indian origin,” he reiterated.
Dr. Singh said the Central Government is giving a big thought to the provision of offering the NRIs with voting rights, educational opportunities for their children, easier remittance facility and better tapping of their talents and achievements. He foresaw a wider participation for the NRIs from the Gulf region.
The Prime Minister said that apart from proposing voting rights, the government is contemplating to improve the good organization and effective reach of the financial and consular services for NRIs. The underlined aspects were: An easy-to-use remittance facility that is affordable and efficient. This facility would be launched by Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram and the exercise would prove an effective strategy between the Ministry of the Overseas Indian Affairs and the UTI Bank. He appreciated the fiscal contribution of the NRIs and PIOs and stated that in recent years such remittances had increased from $13 billion in 2001 to $20 billion in 2005.
Secondly, a more liberal and competitive Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana (Insurance Scheme) would be coming up from February 1st, 2006, which works as beneficial move to the workers community. Thirdly, the government would effectively concentrate on developing the skills of workers and setting up credible mechanisms for them. Another area of importance is to streamline and modernize the process of immigration.
Dr Singh declared that his government would soon set up a Diaspora Knowledge Network to enable effective and improvised connectivity to the PIOs globally.
The Prime Minister also announced the setting up of a Diaspora Knowledge Network to enable improved connectivity between people of Indian origin worldwide. He maintained behind several of the major achievements of India, there is certainly the share of the NRIs and PIOs. In this context, he reminded the audience of the success stories of the PIOs of the Mauritius and South Africa. “Many enterprising citizens of Mauritius trace their ancestry to the Indian state of Bihar. I invite them to come and help transform Bihar,” he said.
Dr. Singh repeatedly assured the PBD delegates that India is committed to create a hospital and favorable climate for the investment and enterprise in India from their side.
Earlier, Manmohan Singh formally inaugurated the Hyderabad International Conventional Centre, which incidentally is the venue for the PBD 2006 event. He also released a periodical publication of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs titled “Overseas Indian” in English and other Indian regional languages.
OCI cards presented to American NRIs
A major highlight of the event was that Dr. Singh presented first two Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Cards and Passports to the two Indian Americans - Nivruti Rai and Iftekhar Shareef, amidst profuse clapping from the audience desks.
No Investments alone, but Overseas Success Stories
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy stressed the urgent need to dispel the wrong notion that the Indian government or the state governments were trying to lure the NRIs only for the sake of investments. On the other hand, he said, “More than investments, what we need from you are your success stories in various fields in the world as they will inspire many of your brothers and sisters and in the larger sense, would inspire the whole of the youth in India.”
Goodbye to Arms Race – Remove Hunger and poverty
Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, the chief guest at the PBD-2006 inauguration, and who shared the dais with the Prime Minister, giving his special address referred to the pride moments of the South Africans’ freedom struggle and their tribulations through the wretched apartheid that dogged the nations for decades. He paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi who would always remain as an icon of hope and peace to the people of South Africa.
He also underlined the urgent need for shunning the arms race worldwide. “Instead of spending huge amounts on this area, one percent of it could definitely help remove hunger and alleviate poverty in a major scale,” he added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narender Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Mr. Oscar Fernandez were among the dignitaries who took part in the event.
