The UP Pravasi Diwas (UPPD) which got off to a start in Agra has warmed the hearts of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIO) with roots in UP. This is first ever endeavour by the state government to reach out to the Indian diaspora hailing from the state.
Participants of UP origin from over a dozen countries like USA, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Sweden, Holland, New Zealand Japan, UAE, Denmark, Singapore, Georgia, Kenya, Ghana etc. participated in the inaugural day of the three-day event.
The common refrain among the participating NRIs was that organising the Diwas was a good move to invite investments. But they stressed that the MOUs signed in Agra should be earnestly followed up by government officials and taken to a logical conclusion.
``The UP government reaching out to people settled abroad is an unheard off phenomenon as the governent machinery over the ages have been infamous for inefficiency, retapism, lethargy et al. The move should generate a positive perception for UP leading to a flow of investments,’’said Nairobi-resident Rafat Nafis Siddiqui, who hails from Amroha.
The NRIs were pleased over what they termed as ‘robust initiative’ by the UP government to connect with the Indian diaspora.
“Earlier we were clueless on how to approach the government as the huge pyramidal structure called bureaucracy proved to be a stumbling bloc. Time, it seem, has taken a full circle and now it is the other way round,” said Germany-based pharmaceutical consultant and anative of Agra, Dr Arun Sarabahi.
About what egged him to attend the function, Dr Sarabahi said, “ I was enthused by the idea of exploring business potential in my home state for which I have to convinced about the work culture of the bureaucracy. However by organising the UPPD, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has indicated that he indeed has a vision for the state.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Ocean Rubber factory, Sharjah (UAE),
KM Noordeen after inking an MOU for trade and industry with the UP government, said, “The UP government’s initiative to bring forign-vased Indians on board for UP’s development is a novel move. It should pay rich dividends if the agreements reached and MOUs signed is vigorously pursued officially and projects do not get entwined in usual bureaucratic redtape.
Based in UAE for two decades and engaged in IT business solution to banks and telecom companies, Shariq Jamil said, “My friends and family influenced me to attend the function and get a feel on whether UP has changed for the better. The Pravasi Diwas is a good beginning, a nascent concept and hence may take time to throw up encourgaing results. I have offices in Riyadh and several cities of UAE, South Africa and I would love to have an office in native Meerut too.