Mritunjay Kumar interacts with the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi and discusses on his recent tour to the Gulf, Kerala and ofcourse Pravasi Bhartiya Divas , 2013
Minister of Oversseas Indian Afaairs, Vayalar Ravi declares that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the PBD on 8th and President of India Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on 9th and confer the Pravasi Bhartiya samman Awards. Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag will be the chief guest at the inaugural session.
Highlights of PBD 2013
On discussing the plan of upcoming PBD, Minister Ravi said, “the theme of the Convention is ‘Engaging diaspora: The Indian growth story’. There will be pre-PBD seminars on 7th, related to developmental issues such as skill development, pure sciences, tourism, youth and the issues faced by NRIs in the Gulf.”
The minister assured that more than 1500 delegates from all over the world will attend the session and considering the overwhelming response, the number may rise to 2000.
He told that “the one of the main attractions of the event is oration programme on Gadar movement. Since the Country is celebrating the centenary of the Gadar Movement in 2013, the PBD Oration this time will be on the Gadar Movement. There will also have an exhibition on the Gadar Movement.”
The purpose of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians that would address their issues and concerns. Overseas Indians have emerged as important constituents of their adopted countries. They have contributed to transforming the economies, participating in political process and added value to thought and innovation of their destination countries. They also serve to build bridges between their present homeland and the land of their ancestors.
The PBD Convention provides a unique platform for overseas Indians to interact among themselves and with the Government of India and the Governments of various Indian States. It is a forum where the Government of India showcases investment opportunities in India and its potential in various sectors.
“In the forthcoming PBD, we are expecting enthusiastic participation from our heterogeneous and diverse overseas Indian community spread across the globe especially of the Gulf and the Mauritius. The effort is to have a meaningful and interactive event that would address the issues and concerns of the overseas Indian community effectively.” he said.
Why Kerala?
Vayalar Ravi said, “PBD 2013 is being conducted in partnership with the Government of Kerala. Kerala has been chosen as the host for the Convention since Keralites constitute one of the largest expatriate communities of India.”
“Since we are holding it in Kerala this time, it will be cheaper for you to attend. Indian in UAE can also go home to your family,” Malayalis form a large chunk of the 1.75 million Indians in the UAE. For the first time the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas -India’s annual event to connect with its 30 million diaspora in 130 countries – will be held in Kerala.
Focus on the Gulf
“The whole of Jan 7th has been set aside to discuss issues pertaining to Indians in the Gulf counties. The importance this time is towards the Gulf. That is why Kerala has been chosen. You can decide and set your own agenda,” said Ravi, himself from Kerala.
He further said, “I know everything about gulf as I am in contact with them on daily basis, we discuss on labour issue as there number of labours are high and deal with Labour commission. And also special attention is given to the women travel with proper labour documents. I am constant touch with Labour ministry to govern their problems. Only we need to get rid of these agents who always create faulty visa hassles and the travelers get trapped into their foul game.”
On the recent Gulf Tour
While discussing on his recent Gulf tour, he said that “I urged the 1.75 million Indians in the UAE to go in large numbers to the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Kochi and I am just a just call away for expatriate Indians.”
The minister said the plan was to hold a mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which is always scheduled outside the country, in one of the Gulf nations. But later it was shifted to Mauritius. “It can be arranged in the Gulf next year.”
The minister said the billions of dollars in remittances sent by Indians in the Gulf had a role to play in Kerala’s development and in India’s development and said this simple act of sending money back to one’s family was a “patriotic” one. “Kerala is cited as an example, whether it is high education or low poverty levels. One of the factors is the money you send. That is equivalent to showing your love for the country. You send money to your family, but finally it goes to the country,” he said.
