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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
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lights the lamp to inaugurate the 9th PBD in New Delhi. At left is the chief guest from New Zealand Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General, descendant of indentured workers who went to Fiji. Also seen Ministers Vayalar Ravi and B.K. Handique and Secretary Didar Singh also involved. There was also a session dedicated to the Indian youth of the world at the main PBD, this one was • India’s exports during November, 2010 were 26.5 per cent higher in Dollar terms (22.3 per cent higher in Rupee terms) than November, 2009. Cumulative value of exports for the period April-November 2010 registered a growth of 26.7 per cent in Dollar terms and 20.5 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year. • India’s imports during November, 2010 represented a growth of 11.2 per cent in Dollar terms (7.5 per cent in Rupee terms) over the level of imports in November, 2009. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-November, 2010 registered a growth of 24.0 per cent in Dollar terms and 18.0 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year. • Core infrastructure-supportive sectors grew by 7.0 per cent in October 2010 as compared to the growth of 3.9 per cent in October 2009. During April-October 2010-11, these sectors grew by 4.5 per cent as compared to 4.8 per cent during April-October 2009-10. • Exports, in US dollar terms increased by 21.3 per cent and imports increased by 6.8 per cent, during October 2010. • Tax revenue (net to Centre) during April-October, 2010-11 recorded a growth of 27.0 per cent compared with corresponding period of 2009-10. Non-tax revenue grew by 149.3 per cent in April-October 2010-11 on account of one-off nature of receipts of proceeds from Spectrum auction. Global Manufacturing Hub India is fast emerging as a global manufacturing hub The High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain FEATURE chaired by Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla. A session on engaging with the PIOs moderated by High Commissioner Mr Malay Mishra and chaired by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Ms Preenet Kaur was very well attended. The panel of speakers included Malaysian Minister Dr Subramaniam, his mentor Mr Samy Vellu, a former minister himself, Mr Ashook Ramsaran of the GOPIO <strong>International</strong>, Minister Rajeshwar Jeetah of Mauritius. The PBD Chief Guest Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor General of New Zealand, attended the session that drew a packed audience. HC Mishra has been posted in Trinidad, and had earlier been with the MOIA’s diaspora division, and took it upon himself the Government’s sustained efforts at strengthening ties with the descendants of the older diaspora, mainly indentured workers. It was good precursor to what followed on January 11, when Union Ministers Mr Vayalar Ravi and Ms Mamata Banerjee unveiled a plaque at the Kolkata port in memory of indentured workers. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards generated less controversy as the awardees were selected by an independent body. ❖ TRADE & ECONOMY ECONOMY with a large number of companies shifting their manufacturing base to the country. Moreover, India has the largest number of companies, outside of Japan, that have been recognised for excellence in quality. As many as 21 companies have received the Deming Excellence awards; 153 companies have achieved Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Excellence Award for their total productivity management practices by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) committee. Nissan Motor Ltd of Japan is looking at a four-fold increase in sourcing of production components from India for its global operations. The company would import US$ 10 million of components in 2010 from Indian vendors. It is set to increase this to US$ 40 million by the end of 2012. Japanese automobile major, Yamaha, is planning to make India a hub for manufacturing its premium and deluxe bikes for overseas markets. The company’s Indian unit supplied 66,904 bikes in fiscal 2010 to Yamaha’s global operation compared with 38,639 units in 2008-2009, an increase of 73 per cent. VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) is investing US$ 61.9 million in its Pithampur plant for the production and final assembly of Volvo’s new global medium-duty engine platform. The expanded facility will act as a global manufacturing hub for Volvo group’s requirements. Nokia’s manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur near Chennai crossed production volumes of 350 million handsets in April 2010. Nokia is now exporting to North YATRA | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2011 | 15
Page 2 and 3: YATRA (The Journey) Vol. 3, Issue 1
Page 4 and 5: BILATERAL HIGH COMMISSIONER’S VIS
Page 6 and 7: BILATERAL 6 | YATRA | JANUARY - FEB
Page 8 and 9: CULTURE On the eve of Republic Day
Page 10 and 11: BILATERAL - CULTURE TRIBAL FOLK ART
Page 12 and 13: EXCERPTS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA’S
Page 16 and 17: ECONOMY America, Europe, Middle Eas
Page 18 and 19: SCIENCE India uses the sun to battl
Page 20 and 21: BIOGRAPHY laws was condemning peopl
Page 22 and 23: BIOGRAPHY physical, intellectual an
Page 24 and 25: DIASPORA View of the gathering at t
Page 26 and 27: DIASPORA The Global Indian Diaspora
Page 28 and 29: CULTURE Flying high: International
Page 30 and 31: HINDI SECTION 30 | YATRA | JANUARY

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