For NRIs and PIOs present at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the PM’s emotional appeal can be seen as an attempt to reverse brain drain.
NEW DELHI: Making an emotional pitch for the return of the prodigal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday urged the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to come back and engage with the new and developing India. He wanted them to invest, not just financially, but intellectually and emotionally also.
For over 1,200 NRIs and PIOs who are here for the fifth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the PM’s emotional appeal can be seen as an attempt to reverse the brain drain. Among the NRIs are a large number of business tycoons, scientists, doctors, university teachers, management professionals and software wizards.
And to the large number of NRIs and PIOs who have come to India in search of their roots, the PM’s message was clear: “Your roots are what bring you here. But your branches are what will keep you engaged year after year here in India’s developmental saga. Even as you discover and nurture your ancient roots, I urge you to extend your branches. Come engage with the new India…Reach out and invest in a new India. Invest not just financially, but intellectually, socially, culturally and, above all, emotionally.” The PM urged the Indian diaspora to take full advantage of exciting opportunities that have come up due to India’s fast developing economy and be active participants in building a new India, instead of just watching from the sidelines. The country’s growth process creates enormous opportunities for the cross-border flows of trade, capital and technology, the PM remarked.
“We in India wish to see you engaged in India’s great adventure of building an India free from the fear of war, want and exploitation…I invite you to be active participants in this saga of great adventure and enterprise,” he added. Thanking Americans of Indian origin for the stellar role played by them in the adoption of a legislation on Civil Nuclear Energy cooperation with India, Singh said that this is an important step forward not just in India-US bilateral relations but also as an essential first step that will enable India to engage in cooperation in the Civil Nuclear field with other countries that are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
“This process will increase the range of options available to secure our country’s growing current and future energy needs. This initiative is therefore a vital input to the critical process of enlarging our developmental options,” the PM said.
Meanwhile, for those interested, the government is willing to go that extra mile: An Indian Overseas Facilitation Centre is in the offing, which will be a source of investment advisory services. A university for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in India is also on cards. The PM also announced a Central Council for the Promotion of Overseas Employment.
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