External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj appealed Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to contribute significantly to the development of India and participate actively in Government of India’s initiatives such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, creation of smart cities and other infrastructure projects.
Swaraj along with Gujarat’s first woman Chief Minister Anandiben Patel lauched the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) on Wednesday. “Come, connect, celebrate and contribute to the cause of the country for ‘Ek Bharat; Shreshtha Bharat’ (One India; Best India),” said the Minister at the launching of the event designed for Indian Diaspora. She said that what excites the world today is India’s economy, which is showing new dynamism under the new Government. For the purpose skilling the people of India, particularly youngsters is the priority, she said adding that NRIs can contribute in Clean India (Swachchh Bharat), Make in India and Digital India initiatives.
“Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative indicates the commitment to turn India into a manufacturing hub. “Swachchh Bharat campaign for cleanliness has become a mass movement. You will always be considered one of us, our own, regardless of the colour of your passport. Even though situated 1,000 miles away, you have kept the spirit of India alive. Young global Indians, should come, connect, celebrate and be a part of our initiative to build Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat," said Swaraj.
Inaugurating the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2015 at the ‘Youth PBD’ celebration here to mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India, she said Indians settled abroad have their roots in this country and connected to its culture. She appealed to particularly the young diasporas to contribute their mite to the Indian Prime Minister’s call for Jan Dhan Yojna, Swachchh Bharat, Hariyali Bharat, Digital Bharat, e-Goverance, Smart City and other programmes. With nearly 50 per cent of India’s population being under-25, she said, the young are the strength of the nation. Recalling the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, She said that Vajpayee had initiated the celebration of PBD in 2003.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, suggested that overseas youth organisations could connect and coordinate their activities with India’s National Service Scheme (NSS) to make a mark in India’s education and social sector space. He called upon the youth diaspora to spread to the world the richness of the values and traditions of Indian society.
Meanwhile, Priti Patel, MP, UK Prime Minister’s Diaspora Champion and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, the UK, in her remarks, said that Britain was home to over 1.5 million expatriate Indians who firmly believed in family values, enterprise and service to others. In contrast to the dwindling numbers at the convention over the years, this meet in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to reach out to the Diaspora in recent months has generated excitement among the NRIs and People of Indian Origin (PIOs).