India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, inaugurated here by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saw the government abandoning its efforts to merely seek investments. It has instead moved to institutionalize co-operation and channelize the rich experience of the Diaspora for the benefit of both the Indians abroad and the mother country.

To this end, the Prime Minister announced setting up of a ‘Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin’ as a platform to draw upon the experience and knowledge of the "best Indian minds". Among several other initiatives announced by the PM, the PIO University announced last year is in the final stages, while the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center has been set up with the partnership of CII. An India Development Foundation was mooted to direct overseas Indian philanthropic efforts into human development activities in the country.

Lauding the role of overseas Indian workers, numbering 5 million and remitting half of all transfers in 2006, Dr. Singh launched the Overseas Workers Resource Center helpline, a toll-free number that will provide assistance and grievance redressal to workers abroad. A nationwide skill upgradation program will skill 2 lakh workers for overseas jobs. The Council for the Promotion of Overseas Employment has also been approved, he announced.

"The Global Advisory Council would comprise People of Indian Origin from a variety of disciplines who are recognized as leaders in their respective fields, not only in their country of residence but globally as well," Singh told the gathering of Indian Diaspora gathered here for the annual event.

He said the Council would serve as a high-level platform for the Prime Minister to draw upon the experience and the knowledge of the best Indian minds wherever they may be based. Over 1,500 delegates from about 50 countries are participating in the event, organized on January 8-9 every year to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India, where he led the struggle for freedom some hundred years ago.

Terming the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas a "special day", the Prime Minister said the country took pride in the achievements of the PIOs and noted that "we seek to encourage in every possible way our links and relations with overseas communities of Indian origin." "It is also our sincere desire to benefit from the vast reservoir of technological, managerial and entrepreneurial skills represented by overseas Indian communities," he said.

Singh particularly referred to women achievers Indira Nooyi, Sunita Williams, Kalpana Chawla and Jhumpa Lahiri and said they have become role models for the society to give women a rightful place. He said the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry is examining a proposal for setting up the India Development Foundation as a non-profit trust to serve as a "credible institutional mechanism to direct overseas Indian philanthropic propensities into human development in the country".

"The Foundation will assist overseas Indians to contribute to the cause of education, health and rural development in their home village, district or state," he said. Singh also informed the gathering that the government has approved the policy framework for setting up a PIO university in the country for the benefit of children of overseas Indians from across the globe, a proposal which he had announced last year.

"I am confident the work of the University will commence this year," he added. Among those present were Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Lauding the role of overseas Indian workers, numbering 5 million and remitting half of all transfers in 2006, Dr. Singh launched the Overseas Workers Resource Center helpline, a toll-free number that will provide assistance and grievance redressal to workers abroad. Dr. Manmohan Singh said that ‘Indian-ness’ is the invisible thread that binds all Indians.

India’s common cultural values such as pluralism, tolerance, and truth and non-violence can be of global relevance in a troubled world. India has been inspired by the Diaspora in focusing on education as an instrument of empowerment in the 11th Five Year Plan. "It is by investing in your capabilities that you have empowered yourselves. This is how I wish to see India empower itself," he added. "I would like this gathering to inspire our people, inspire people of Indian origin, inspire our region and our neighbors, inspire the world to learn to live together in peace and harmony despite our many diversities," concluded the Prime Minister.

Singh also announced launch of an "Overseas Workers Resource Centre" which would provide relevant information and assistance to potential migrant workers and operate a multi- lingual helpline for grievance redressal and intervention for overseas Indian workers in distress. "The security and welfare of Indian residents living abroad is a top priority for our diplomatic missions," he said asking community leaders to develop better liaison with Indian missions to better serve non-resident communities. The Prime Minister said the conditions in the country were favorable to achieve and sustain 9 to 10 per cent growth rates.

"The growth process now underway will transform our economy to emerge as a major powerhouse of the evolving globalized world." "The ambitious growth rate that we seek to achieve will require determined efforts to raise our savings and investment rates. The bulk of resources for India’s development must come from home.

"However it is our sincere desire to create a framework which will provide profitable opportunities for overseas Indians to invest in India’s development," he said. Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the chief guest of this year’s function, said "there is a new vibrancy, vitality, confidence and hope in this country and it is palpable to everyone visiting India." "My plea to Indian Diaspora is to grab this opportunity and get involved with India and one another.... We owe it to this country," he added. In his address, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi who personified the theme of the current PBD. He pointed out that Mauritius had been deeply influenced by India in its emancipation struggle, in which his father had been involved, and Mauritian Indians are proud of their heritage. Many institutions have been set up in the country named after Indian leaders, and the World Hindi Center is headquartered in Mauritius.

"It is a matter of pride for us that the India of our hopes is finally emerging," he stressed, saying that the heartstrings and purse-strings of PIOs resonate in harmony. The Prime Minister suggested that an active desk be set up by India to channel the solidarity of overseas Indians and give concrete expression to their engagement. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi extended a warm welcome to 1500 delegates from over 50 countries, saying that the Ministry had taken several initiatives to promote and sustain a mutually beneficial relationship of India and its Diaspora. A wider range of benefits would be extended to Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, numbering about 2 lakhs.

Bilateral security agreements for short-term workers have been negotiated with several EU countries and Memorandum of Understanding is being inked with Gulf countries for workers’ protection and welfare. Social development is the focus of the current PBD, aligning with the priorities of the 11th Five Year Plan. "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will mark a new beginning of people to people partnership for building a new India," he concluded. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit urged overseas Indians to assist in Delhi’s development, especially in the transport sector.

Terming Delhi as the greenest and the most livable city in India, she said that the Commonwealth Games of 2010 provide a huge challenge as well as opportunity to invest in Delhi’s development and infrastructure. The guidance of overseas Indians is needed to make Delhi an education hub. Nirmal Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, delivered the welcome address.

Presenting the vote of thanks, Sunil Bharti Mittal, President, CII and Chairman and Group CEO, Bharti Enterprises, said that overseas Indians have laid out a solid foundation for Indian companies to engage with the world, and that their leadership and innovation are making a deep impression on world affairs. The participating NRIs/PIOs felt a platform of opportunities was being provided to them to take a hand in India’s development. They found the PBD conference an amazing experience. They said they liked the initiative taken by the Indian government to engage the Diaspora.