NEW DELHI/GANDHINAGAR: There used to be a time when you left your beloved country to explore opportunities in different parts of the world Now I want to assure you that lot many possibilities are awaiting you as time is changing rapidly and India has risen with new strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said to around 4,000 members of the Indian diaspora, as he appealed to the community of over 25 million people living in over 200 countries to help transform the nation.
In his address at the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas at Gandhinagar’s swank Mahatma Mandir in his home state Gujarat, on Thursday, 8 Jan, which marked the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis return to India from South Africa, Mr. Modi said the whole world was looking at India with great expectations and what was needed was confidence and capability.
Describing the Indian diaspora as the great capital for India, the PM said, if we focus on this segment, we can create a lot of respect for the country globally.
“I have met more than 50 world leaders so far and almost all of them want to work with India,” said Modi, who described himself as a Pravasi Gujarati while welcoming the diaspora.
Indian Express reports that, Modi asked the diaspora to help in transforming India, making it clear that it is not only the Pound Sterling and the Dollars that the government is interested in.
There is one more issue that I am sure you are concerned about and that is the rejuvenation of Ma Ganga, the PM said, asking the gathering to join his government’s flagship programme to clean the Ganges.
Lauding the diaspora for keeping Indian values alive, he said, When someone living abroad finds out an Indian will be his neighbour, he is happy. He thinks his children will inculcate family values.
He also said when he proposed in the UN General Assembly meeting that International Yoga Day be declared, a large number of countries supported the proposal including more than 40 Muslim countries. The fact that 177 out of 193 UN member countries supported the Indian proposal and the UN making the announcement within 100 days is a small reflection on how the world is ready to embrace India, he said.
Hindustan Times reports that earlier, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj delivered the welcome address and said the successful and prosperous diaspora is an asset to India. Swaraj said the Indian diaspora is respected in the countries they live in for their discipline, work culture and contribution to that country’s economy.
She said the Modi government is determined to work closely with the diaspora and engage with them and said: I promise it will be a rewarding partnership.
The chief guest, Guyanese President Donald Ramotar, and South African foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, shared the dias with Modi and Swaraj. India can provide leadership to protect the interests of the developing nations of the world, said Ramotar.
The PM said, Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) schemes have been merged. Everyone will get the same benefits. I know the problems you faced. That is why visa on arrival facilities are being made available for several nations, he said.
The event is being held in Gandhinagar from January 7-9 to mark the centenary of India’s “Sarva Sreshtha Pravasi Bharatiya”, or foremost Indian diaspora member, Mahatma Gandhi’s return to the country from South Africa.
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