Hailing the contribution of Pravasi Bhartiyas or Non-Resident Indians (NRI) in various parts of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described them as the “brand ambassadors” and “rashtra doots” of India on foreign soil and said they have a significant place in the journey of the country as it enters the “Amrit kaal” of the next 25 years.
Addressing them after inaugurating the 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Modi also referred to India’s G20 Presidency this year and said it is being seen as a big opportunity to tell the world about the country.
President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi was the special guest of honour and Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali was the chief guest at the event.
“I consider Pravasi Bharatiyas as brand ambassadors of India on foreign soil. Your role is diverse. You are the brand ambassador for yoga, Ayurveda, cottage industry, handicrafts and also millets.” Modi said.
“The GenNext Pravasis are also curious to know about the country of their parents’ origin,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi said, “India not only has the capability of becoming a knowledge centre but also a skilled capital. Our youth has skills, values and honesty and determination toward work. Our skilled capital can become the world’s growth engine.”
“The present India is looked at with hope and curiosity and India’s voice is being heard on the global stage... India is also the host for this year’s G20. We do not want to make it only a diplomatic event, but an event of people’s participation,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also urged universities in India to document contributions made by the diaspora in their respective nations for the benefit of students. “Migrants from India have settled in different countries for many centuries. The Indian diaspora has made extraordinary contributions in nation-building, we should document their life, struggles and achievements,” he said.
“Many of our elders will have many memories of that era. I urge that efforts should be made for an audio-visual and written documentation of the history of our diaspora in various countries through universities,” Modi said.
Talking about India’s Presidency of the G20 this year, Modi said, “India is seeing this responsibility as a big opportunity. It is an opportunity for us to tell the world about India.”
Today India’s voice, its message and words have a different significance at the global stage. This growing power of India is going to increase further in the coming times, Modi said.
When there are discussions on peace-loving, democratic and disciplined citizens in different countries of the world, then the Indian pride of being the “mother of democracy” increases further, he said while mentioning the role of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the world.
“When the world assesses the contribution of our non-resident Indians, it hears the sound of a strong and capable India,” he said.
“We started an extraordinary tradition of global trade centuries ago. We crossed the ocean that seemed limitless. India has shown how commercial relations between different civilizations in different countries can open the way for shared prosperity,” he added.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the record of developing indigenous vaccines for COVID-19 and providing its 220 crore doses free of cost.
He said India has been included in the top five economies of the world and as the third largest start-ups nation. The pace of development India has achieved in the last few years and the achievements it has made are extraordinary and unprecedented, the Prime Minister said.
Modi said 40 per cent of the world’s digital transactions have happened in India alone. India is counted among the countries with the most advanced space technology, making a record of launching 100 satellites in one go, he said.
While assuring all possible help to the NRIs to protect their interests, Modi appealed to them to keep cultural and spiritual knowledge as well as updated information about the growing potential and progress of the country to share it with the rest of the world. Whenever an Indian goes to a foreign land and meets a co-patriot, then he feels the entire country met him, he said.
Modi also said Madhya Pradesh has a number of natural sites, including the Narmada river and the recently developed Mahakal Lok at the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, and urged the diaspora to visit them.
“Recently, the grand and divine expansion of Lord Mahakal’s Mahalok has also taken place in Ujjain. I hope all of you will go there and seek the blessings of Lord Mahakal and also be a part of that wonderful experience,” he said.
Lavishing praise on Indore, Modi said the city is not only the cleanliness capital but also the capital of “swaad” (taste) in the country.
Indore is ahead of its time not only in cleanliness but also takes care of its heritage. The delicacies of Indore are mouth-watering and the people who taste them once will never turn to anything else, he added.
The Prime Minister also released a commemorative postal stamp “Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen” to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly and skilled migration.
On the occasion, Suriname President Santokhi said India has proven to be a reliable partner on regional and global platforms. He sought a partnership (with India) in various fields, including health, financial sectors and strengthening cultural ties by “setting up institutes for Hindi language promotion in the Caribbean country”.
Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said, “When globalisation failed during the pandemic, Modi showed that it exists.” He recalled India’s help in providing COVID-19 vaccines and medicines to various countries and termed India as an important strategic partner.
He said there are massive opportunities for India’s private sector in Guyana. He also termed Guyana’s economy as one of the fastest growing in the world. “I visited this country earlier and studied here before becoming the president (of Guyana) and felt the love of Indian people,” he added.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said to make the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention a memorable event, a “Global Garden” was developed in Indore where delegates from 66 countries along with local residents planted saplings on Sunday.
He said Indore city has been decorated and groomed to welcome the guests. People from Indore were eager to host the NRI guests at their homes instead of hotels. There is an atmosphere of wonderful enthusiasm in Indore, he added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also addressed the convention.
Shivraj inaugurated the programme on Sunday. This convention will continue till January 10. President Draupadi Murmu is also scheduled to conclude this conference on Tuesday. The President will also honour NRIs in the concluding session. As many as 3,500 NRIs from 70 countries are participating in this conference.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being held at Brilliant Convention Center. After reaching the venue, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Suriname President Santokhi and Guyana President Irfan Ali in Indore.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every two years on January 9. It is being celebrated grandly after almost four years due to Covid-19
January 9 was selected as it was the date when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Over the years, he has often been described as the first NRI and the most famous NRI by various politicians.