India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas now being held here has put focus on integrating the Indian Diaspora with the socio-economic growth of their native country. The event aims to connect more than 25 million overseas Indians from over 130 countries. This is an initiative of relationship building between the Diaspora, and the Indian government’s efforts to this end were outlined by Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

Sessions were held on social issues of healthcare, education especially in the rural areas, knowledge economy, and culture and women empowerment. Microfinance and financial stability in rural households was a special issue for discussion. Some 1000 plus delegations have arrived- 125 from USA, 138 from Malaysia, 120 from Mauritius, 60 from Gulf, 29 from Canada, 70 from Africa, 15 from Singapore and 68 from Europe amongst other countries.

The union government and state governments have an active participation in the two-day convention. This is going to help participants to directly interact with the government representatives and address their concerns and have the exposure to the government’s programs for the common man and how they could be involved in it. Minister Ravi said the Prime Minister had made three announcements during his Inaugural Address last year —that of PIO University, Council for Overseas Employment Opportunities and Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre.

All the three promises have been fulfilled, he claimed. The Prime Minister was to launch Overseas Workers Resource Center (OWRC), a helpline for the emigrant workers, unveiling the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra Model which will be constructed for the benefits of NRIs. Ravi said the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre is to serve as a "one stop shop" for the Overseas Indians with the objective of promoting overseas Indian investment in India and facilitating business-to-business partnership between Indian business and overseas Indians.

It is providing prompt replies to all the queries of Indians all over, he said. The program aims at providing the Diaspora youth an internship opportunity in India for 3-4 weeks. During this period they get an opportunity to understand India better and help bond with their country of origin. One of the highlights of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008 is a "marketplace" organized by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center where one to one meetings are being held to promote business and investment in the States for the benefit of the common man.