Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010956001300.htm

National

OIC card-holders can practise in India

Special Correspondent

Manmohan Singh commends overseas Indians for their dedication, hard work

Manmohan Singh

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced here on Thursday that Overseas Indian Citizenship (OIC) card-holders can practise their professions in India.

This comes as a blessing for many people of Indian origin, who after returning to India find that they have to go through a laborious process of re-registration and — in some cases — take examinations to gain a certificate to practise in India.

“The Overseas Indian Citizenship Scheme, which we had announced in 2006, has elicited an overwhelming response. I am, therefore, happy to announce that henceforth OIC card-holders who are qualified professionals — doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, architects and chartered accountants — will have the benefit of practising their professions here in our country. Further details to operationalise this benefit are being worked out,” he said at the inaugural of the seventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here.

Knowledge network

Launching a new initiative, the global Indian knowledge network, Dr. Singh said this network would connect people of Indian origin from a variety of disciplines to users at the national, State and local levels in India. “My hope is that the network will facilitate transfer of knowledge and serve as a virtual think tank to generate ideas on issues such as development, education and health care,” he said.

Commending overseas Indians for their dedication, hard work and their contribution to nation building in the countries they had settled in, the Prime Minister said he was “amazed” when he recently saw first-hand, the grit and determination of Indians working in Oman and Qatar.

Gaza attacks

India was concerned at the increasing tension in West Asia after the attacks on Gaza. “India has strongly condemned these incidents and it is our hope that the international community would get together and help in restoring peace in the region as soon as possible. I wish to reiterate our unstinted and unwavering support for the just Palestinian cause,” he said.

Dr. Singh said despite the global economic downturn, the fundamentals of the Indian economy continued to remain strong.

“We expect to achieve a growth rate of about seven per cent this year, which will be among the highest in the world.” This was so because much of India’s growth was internally driven. “I expect we can maintain a strong pace of growth in the coming years,” he added.