International Events.qxd

FEATURE
Also coming out of the convention, is the recurring
suggestion that more investment is needed so that education
can reach those less fortunate and the need to provide
a better education system in the areas where people
cannot afford it. The convention was held at Vigyan
Bhawan, New Delhi.
People of Indian origin, ministers, journalists, dignitaries
from other countries participated in the conferences showcasing
the expectations and aspirations of the overseas Indian
community from the land of their ancestors.
Chief Guest Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand
extolled the role played by the Indian Diaspora saying that
Indians could promote higher levels of bilateral relationship
between New Zealand and India. Speaking at the Inaugural
session of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Vigyan Bhavan in
Delhi on 8 January, he cited the ongoing negotiations for a
Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand as
an example.
India’s President Pratibha Patil agreed, saying that
overseas Indians had shown outstanding capabilities in
professional, academic, social, cultural and political fields
in their respective countries. “They are known for determination
in the face of adversity, fortitude in difficult circumstances
and the spirit of never giving up. They have
thus endeared themselves to their fellow citizens in their
adopted home countries,” she said, speaking at the concluding
session on 9 January. That statement matched the
determination, enterprise and hard work invested by most
people of Indian origin in their adopted countries. Sir
Anand said he was privileged to be at the PBD as a New
Zealander whose four grandparents migrated from India
to make a new life thousands of kilometres away in the
South Pacific.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed on attracting
14 | YATRA | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2011
the young Indian diaspora through joint research projects
while urging Indian scientists to “think big” and “out of
the box” for scientific advancement and innovations in
the country. He announced merging of the Overseas
Citizen of India (OCI) and the Persons of Indian Origin
(PIO) cards into a single facility to simplify visa-free entry
and participation of Indian Diaspora in business and other
activities in New Delhi. Singh also said that the government
had decided to extended the facility of the Indian
Community Welfare Fund to all the Indian Missions from
the current 42.
In a bid to encourage PIOs (Indians who have shifted
migrated permanently to other countries over centuries) to
visit and invest in India, such people were given PIO cards.
A PIO cardholder does not require a visa to visit India and
the card is valid for 15 years. A PIO cardholder enjoys several
economic and educational benefits. On the other
hand, the OCI card is a kind of lifelong visa and any
Indian origin person can apply for it subject to certain conditions
being met.
To improve the conditions for migration, India has signed
Social Security Agreements with 12 countries and finalised
Labour Mobility Partnerships with 2 others, he said, adding a
generic arrangement is also being negotiated with the
European Union. "As a further measure, we have now
extended the facility of the Indian Community Welfare Fund
to all Indian Missions," he said. At present, such funds are
available in 42 Missions. Singh said the government has
decided to establish new Indian cultural centres in the US,
Canada, Saudi Arabia, France and Australia. "I urge the
Indian communities in these countries to support and patronise
these centres so that they become effective instruments
for projecting the diversity and splendour of Indian culture,"
the Prime Minister said. ❖
IMPRESSIONS ON THE 9TH PBD
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) concluded its
9th edition on January 9. Over time, the learning
curves at the PBD for both organizers and other
stakeholders have been many. Thankfully, some of
that is getting implemented.
It was refreshing talking to Dr A. Didar Singh,
Secretary to the Government of India at the Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) soon after the event. He
noted that the media coverage for the event was unprecedented.
There were around 500 registered media delegates,
indicating that the PBD and the presence of overseas
Indians in India is very much in the radar of the media.
The structuring of the event in terms of the sessions and
the content, the level of speakers that presented papers
and orations, the special focus on the North Eastern states
BY SAYANTAN CHAKRAVARTY
of India and the partnership of the MOIA with organizations
within the diaspora that deal with youth, all contributed
towards making the 9th PBD a well-rounded
experience. “Today, the PBD as a brand is huge, it is associated
with Brand India. It is no longer an event, it plays a
large role in multiplying synergy between Government of
India and the various stakeholders. It is one of the best
diaspora events in the world,” says Dr Singh.
The 9th PBD saw for the first time a link seminar with
overseas Indian youth. The lineup of speakers was
impressive, and the event was done in coordination with
the GYIPS (Global Young Indian Professionals and
Students), and the MOIA’s institutional partner, CII
(Confederation of Indian Industry). The young global
Indians attending the Know India Programme (KIP) were
The High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain