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By Amit Baruah
The recipients of the `Pravasi Bharatiya Samman' with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, after the inauguration of the first `Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' in New Delhi on Thursday. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty
``We are now working on the administrative regulations and procedures governing dual citizenship. We will introduce the necessary legislation during the Budget session of Parliament,'' he said. Inaugurating the first-ever ``Pravasi Bharatiya Divas'' at the Pragati Maidan here, Mr. Vajpayee did not give any details about the kind of ``dual citizenship'' that was being proposed. (It is likely that ``dual passports'' will be allowed for Indian-origin citizens of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a couple of other countries.) ``Indians who have chosen to settle in foreign lands should be loyal to their country of adoption. The biggest challenge facing every immigrant community is to integrate harmoniously into the political, economic and social life of the host society, while preserving and cherishing its civilisational heritage. ``Over the years, Indians have achieved this delicate balance virtually everywhere, without a contradiction between their adopted citizenship and their Indian identity,'' he told the large gathering of overseas Indians, adding that the decision on ``dual citizenship'' was taken in ``this background''.
Welfare fund
Mr. Vajpayee also announced a ``compulsory insurance scheme'' for the Indian workers migrating to the Persian Gulf. ``Parliament is already considering a Bill to establish a welfare fund for overseas Indian workers. To meet the educational needs of their children, we plan to reserve a certain portion of seats in our academic institutions.''
Mr. Vajpayee presented ``Pravasiya Bharatiya Samman Pu
In a departure from the norm, the Prime Minister acknowledged the emigration of doctors, engineers and managers in the 1970s, but that of plumbers, electricians and nurses to West Asia.
He also referred to the despatch of Indian indentured labour to work in the sugar plantations in the British empire.
``Many of you — or your forefathers — left India in search of fortune or better livelihood. Today, India itself has become a land of opportunity.''
`A homecoming'
Describing the ``Pravasi Divas'' as a homecoming, Mr. Vajpayee said it was also a ``grand occasion'' for India to pay tribute to its ``sons and daughters''
``The benchmarks for success, which the Pravasi community has set, are a challenge for us in India. They make us examine why the Indian is so much more innovative, productive and successful abroad than in his own country. They prod us to create a business, investment and economic climate which is conducive to success as anywhere else in the world.''
``We are prepared to respond to your expectations from India.... we do not want your riches, we want the richness of your experience.''
``We are aware of the slow progress in several areas of our social sector development, but we are determined to move faster than before. All in all, we are guided by the ambitious goal of making India a developed nation by 2020....''
The Government, he said, would like to create an environment in India which will make overseas Indians want to return; and not just for sentimental or
`Project the truth'
In what could be a reference to the massacre of innocents in Gujarat, Mr. Vajpayee said the positive aspects of India were not being projected abroad.
``It is far more likely that mindless political gossip or isolated acts of crime and violence would dominate the headlines around the world.''
``At the same time, you can project the truth about India to the world in a credible and effective manner. Misleading, one-sided negative pictures are often put out due to bias, ignorance or design.''
Mr. Vajpayee also had a word of advice for the PIOs. While linguistic associations abroad had a useful role to play, it was also necessary for the PIOs to strengthen the broader Indian identity in their countries of residence.
``When you are united as Indians, your voice carries greater weight: both for highlighting issues of concern in your host country, and for promoting Indian causes.''
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