Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Inaugurating the three-day mega event, Pravasi Bharatiya divas had urged upon the Indian diaspora to first develop India by investing and contributing its expertise in the land of its origin.
“To me, FDI means First Develop India through Foreign Direct Investment, whose norms have been fully liberalized for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and made on par with domestic firms for availing same benefits,” Modi said in the s14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day).
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Modi encouraged the diaspora to participate in the government’s flagship programs like Digital India, Make In India, Start-up India, Swacch Bharat (Clean India) and Namami Gange (Clean Ganga) for the country’s all-round development.
“Diaspora can contribute to India by sparing their time and energy on implementing our flagship programs and stay connected,” said Modi.
“Brain drain has been considered a loss for the country as Indians went abroad seeking jobs and a better life. But for me and my government, such a movement is not a brain drain, but brain gain as they can help us in the development,” noted Modi.
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“We will shortly launch a skill development program, the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment” he said.
“We are working on new procedures to ensure all descendants of Indians, especially their fourth and fifth generations living in Fiji, Suriname, Guyana and Caribbean states to become eligible for OCI cards,” Modi said.
“NRIs and PIOs have made outstanding contributions. Among them are politicians of great stature, scientists of repute, outstanding doctors, brilliant educationists, economists, journalists, musicians, engineers, bankers and did I mention our well known technology professionals,” added Modi.
By Premji
