Front Page

Diaspora to help India turn the heat on Pakistan

CHENNAI: The Centre is keen on utilising the economic, social and political clout enjoyed by the Indian diaspora to convince important governments on Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism on Indian soil, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference to announce the premier networking event of NRIs, “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention” which is being hosted by Chennai from January 7 to 9, Mr. Ravi acknowledged that the expatriates, numbering upwards of 25 million, constituted an influential pressure group in several Western countries.

On the Sports Ministry’s move to prevent Indian sportsmen holding citizenship of other countries from representing the mother country at events, Mr. Ravi said it was only the opinion of that Ministry.

Mr. Ravi said the NRI event had come to Chennai after editions in places such as Delhi and Hyderabad primarily on the “enthusiasm and encouragement” of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Touted as the biggest ever coming together of Persons of Indian Origin and NRIs, the convention is expected to attract 1,500 delegates.

The State government and Confederation of Indian Industry are among the key partners hosting the meet.

Mr. Ravi said that among the important decisions of such conventions was the constitution of a PIO University which was all set to launch courses in the next academic year and the formation of the Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin.

The Centre had also mooted the India Development Foundation that would enable NRIs to issue funds to develop healthcare or education projects in rural India. Until now, NRIs had to go through the stringent procedures of the Reserve Bank of India to make a donation, he said.

The government would ensure that the funds were handled in a transparent manner. NGOs with credibility would be entrusted with executing the welfare projects and the projects would be subjected to social audits, he said.

Mr. Ravi said PIO communities scattered across the Caribbean, Africa and South East Asia, were not economically well off. The convention would have regional sessions on them.

The convention, with the theme “Engaging the Diaspora — The Way Forward” include four plenary sessions on topics such as India as emerging economic power, introspection on the impact of the global meltdown and solutions for the crisis.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the event on January 8. Suriname Vice-President Ramdien Saredjoe is the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.

President Pratibha Patil, who participates in the valedictory session on January 9, is scheduled to confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2009.

Management guru C.K. Prahlad and technologist Sam Pitroda head a long list of eminent personalities attending the event.

Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said the convention would highlight the economic prosperity and cultural enrichment of NRI communities.

The Tamil Nadu government, which was happy to host the event, had signed 23 Memoranda of Understanding with various NRIs and investors for seven industrial projects worth Rs. 37,000 crore. “We expect more on this front.”

CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee also spoke.

Related Links: