CONNECTING INDIA WITH ITS DIASPORA

GARGANTUAN DELIGHT

Vol 3 Issue 2 February 2010

PRAVASI BHARATIYA
PBD-2010
The annual event
becomes a more
engaging and
enriching
experience, with
the deliberations
holding out a
sharper promise
of delivery and
G
argantuan would probably be an understatement to describe this steel-concrete marvel. The 37,680 km of steel
wire used in the spectacular Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai, India’s first bridge constructed in open sea realisation
conditions, is equivalent to the circumference of the earth. The length of the eight-lane bridge is 4.7 km, about
63 times that of the Qutab Minar, and weighs 6.7 lakh tonnes — that’s equivalent to the weight of 50,000 African
elephants! It has two lanes dedicated for buses.
The sea link offers rush-hour motorists a new route between the island city and its western suburbs, reducing travel
time between the two points from the earlier 60-90 minutes to 6-8 minutes. The Mahim Causeway was, thus far, the only
route. During peak hours, around 7,000 to 8,000 cars can use the link per hour, and an automatic system identifies
vehicles going over the 50 kmph limit. According to engineers, cameras on the link can take swift 360-degree turns and
capture images of vehicles within 1.5 km, and keep watch on the movements of boats and ships as well. Two policemen
on bikes patrol the bridge to pull up errant drivers. The height of the main tower is 126 metres, equivalent to a 43-story
building. The bridge consumed 90,000 tonnes of cement, and rests on 135 pile caps, the largest being 55m in length and
55m in breadth — half the size of a football field. Conceived in the 1990s, it was completed on May 31, 2009 and
inaugurated at midnight on June 30 last year.
The sea link is a product of international cooperation. Engineers from China, Egypt, Canada, Switzerland, Britain,
Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines worked on it. The bridge consumes 1,000 KW power
a day.

lR;eso t;rs

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

www.moia.gov.in
www.overseasindian.in
MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
 CONNECTING INDIA WITH ITS DIASPORA
PRAVASI BHARATIYA SEWA
If you are an Indian living overseas and
looking at investing in India or crediting
money to banks in India, then log on to
www.nriconnect.co.in
Vol 3 Issue 2 February 2010

PRAVASI BHARATIYA

lR;eso t;rs

izoklh Hkkjrh; dk;Z ea=ky;

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
lR;eso t;rs www.overseasindian.in

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Consulting Editor
K.G. Sreenivas
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4 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad
I to exercise their franchise and have a say in who governs
India… I sincerely hope that they will get a chance to vote
by the time of the next regular general elections. In fact,
I would go a step further and ask why more overseas Indi-
ans should not return home to join politics and public life as
they are increasingly doing in business and academia...” That
was Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh delivering the inau-
gural address at the Eighth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New
Delhi on January 8. This set the tone for the latest edition of
the annual PBD which sought to deepen and widen India’s
engagement with her Diaspora. Technical and legal aspects
apart, a right to cast the vote for overseas Indians would be con-
stitutionally perhaps a revolutionary step. As the Prime Min-
ister observed, overseas Indians have a legitimate desire to
“have a say in who governs India”. Overseas Indians represent
a significant and extraordinary reservoir of experience, knowl-
edge, wealth and worldviews. Harnessing this amazing pool of
talent can only benefit India. In fact, many among overseas Indi-
ans have either chosen to return to India to ‘give back’ to their
mother country, or are actively engaged with India through a
wide variety of philanthropic activities. A book titled The Idea
of Giving, published by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs,
and released at PBD-2010, highlights the admirable philan-
thropic activities overseas Indians are carrying out diligently
across India in a variety of areas.
How is this engagement of the essence? The past two decades
in the life of India have been momentous, with the country rev-
olutionising its economic destiny, liberating unprecedented
energies and breathing new life into vast swathes of the coun-
try’s economy. Economic liberalisation put the country on to
the highway of globalisation, exposing the country’s economic
destiny to newer challenges, newer horizons and newer com-
plexities. Thus we had a whole range of global products, com-
modities, innovations, theories and practices, and most impor-
tantly, a newer brand of global human resource thronging the
Indian marketplace. India was to soon touch the magical num-
ber of a 9 percent annual growth, a far cry from 3 percent or so
in the pre-liberalisation era, and sooner than later was to
become a major economic global player. Foreign multination-
als set up home in India while Indian multinationals and Indi-
an entrepreneurs would soon buy out iconic foreign brands and
companies. The Indian entrepreneur had arrived. Men like L.N.
Mittal, one of our most outstanding overseas Indians, Arun
Sarin, Vinod Khosla and Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, among a
host of other distinguished compatriots of Indian origin, strode
the world stage with gumption and pride. Indian entrepreneurs
like Ratan Tata, Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani, among
many others, transformed themselves into global brands, much
sought after not only for the economic worth they generated but
also for the breadth of vision they represented.
It is this narrative that is now being sought to be enriched by
India’s children abroad. For the growth story to continue
unabated, it needs newer ideas, a newer impetus and a newer
philosophy. While government is central to shaping the philos-
ophy of growth and development, it is these individuals who can
indeed drive the growth story of India. The theory of growth
would be incomplete without the praxis of inclusion. In fact,
inclusion begins, not from the centre, but from the margins. It
is in these margins that often entire histories of civilisations
are often made but not recorded.
But how does the Diaspora help advance the story of inclusion?
Virendra ‘Sam’ Singh, a retired South Asia chief of global giant DuPont, left the U.S. to return to his hometown
in Uttar Pradesh and set up the Pardada Pardadi Educational Society in 2000. The trust has transformed the
lives of girls belonging to the families of landless farmers. ‘‘If you teach a girl, you teach a family,” Singh says.
Many overseas Indians have chosen to do precisely
that — giving back to their villages and talukas they
came from. As Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs
says in his Preface to The Idea of Giving, “They have
chosen to build schools, breathe life into villages, recast
livelihoods, empower women and children, reach out
to the poor, the ill and the helpless, and in doing so,
fundamentally transforming lives, perspectives and
aspirations.” He adds: “Our government, recognising
the importance of this connectedness with our Dias-
pora, has chosen to facilitate this flow of knowledge,
expertise and valuable resources into our country. For
our brethren among the Diaspora, the act of giving is
an act, born not out of impulse, but out of genuine
choice and desire.”
At the institutional level, the Government set up the
India Development Foundation under the directive of
Prime Minister Singh providing such a window for dias-
pora philanthropy through innovative projects. The
foundation will seek to lead philanthropic capital into
India’s social sector by helping to forge partnerships
between donors and credible non-government and non-
profit voluntary organisations working in the social sec-
tor in India.
There are many inspiring stories, the sum and sub-
stance of which is this: the potential for social inter-
vention is limitless. Vikram Akula’s is one such story.
Deeply distressed by the glimpses of poverty that he wit-
nessed as a child on his trips to India from the United
States, he began working with an NGO in Andhra
Pradesh to get a first-hand feel of how grinding poverty
can halt a people’s social, economic, material and spir-
itual development. He went on to set up SKS Microfi-
nance which today helps impoverished people, espe-
cially women, to set up self-driven enterprises. SKS has
so far extended over $2 billion in unsecured micro-cred-
it to over 5.4 million poor women in 80,000 Indian vil-
lages across 16 states. And the repayment rate? Nearly
99 percent! There are many more such inspiring stories
to recount. Which brings us back to our original premise
of empowering the overseas Indian further by giving
him the right to vote. It would make for an extraordi-
nary beginning where our overseas brethren get an
opportunity to take part with their resources in the
great enterprise of nation building.
Therefore, to that extent PBD-2010 was a significant
marker of sorts where Prime Minister Singh initiated
the debate on conferring overseas Indians with voting
rights. You will read about the deliberations in the sub-
sequent pages. One interesting addition to the PBD, and
a beginning, was the first Distinguished Global Indian
Orations Series delivered by Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati. In
his speech, he observed: “The Diaspora can be inte-
grated profitably even more fully with India. Indeed, the
start of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and the extension
of greater rights to people of Indian origin, are among
the measures of the Indian government we must
applaud.” Integration is of the essence after all.
Mention must be made of Lord Khaleed Hameed, the
chief guest at the PBD. Lord Hameed, in a seminal
speech, gave perspective to our times in the context of
the rise of global terrorism and increasing intolerance
by quoting a prayer from the Atharva Veda which went
thus: “We are birds of the same nest, We may wear dif-
ferent skins, We may speak different languages, We may
believe in different religions, We may belong to differ-
ent cultures, Yet we share the same home — our Earth.”
There couldn’t have been a better exhortation to human-
ity to help resolve the greatest crisis of human civiliza-
tion ever – the deficit of interfaith trust. Pravasi
Bharatiya salutes this proud citizen of the world.
—K.G. Sreenivas
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 5
Contents BOOKS TRAVEL CULTURE

Developing
26 SKILLS
At the Plenary Session at the PBD, chief ministers
of states spoke about skills development and
sought the engagement of overseas Indians in
the process

The
28
12 Magical 9
All the speakers at Concurrent Session I were
upbeat about the Indian economy and its growth
prospects in the years to come. They were also in 34 The $500m
opportunity
Forward, together agreement that closer cooperation between India
and her Diaspora can give a further boost to the President Patil seeks the Diaspora’s
participation in India’s growth story
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010 was another step forward in helping to forge India growth story
deeper ties with India’s vast Diaspora
Diaspora
30 philanthropy
The India Development Foundation will help
resolve problems faced by overseas Indians in
channelling their contributions without difficulty

India: The Role

18 Target: 9 pc
growth
22 of The Diaspora
Jagdish Bhagwati, recipient of the Pravasi 32 Bridges to
the Gulf
India can achieve the mark and the Diaspora can Bharatiya Samman Award and the Padma The Gulf session emerged as a platform for
play an important role in making this a reality, Vibhushan, delivered the first of the addressing and discussing the concerns and
says Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Distinguished Global Indian Oration Series issues related to the approximately five million
at PBD 2010 Indians residing in the Gulf region

6 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 7

 NEWS
ATTACK ON INDIANS
‘Brand Australia hit’
With attacks on Indian students, Oz security agencies get busy trying
to restore the ‘safe’ perception of their country
rand Australia has suf-
B fered following attacks on
Indian students in the past
nine months and this will
cause long-term damage if not
attended to, said a visiting Aus-
tralian minister.
“The attacks (on Indian students)
have hurt us in terms of perception
about Australia and that’s why our
law enforcement agencies have
been so committed to pursuing
arrests and prosecution and have
been successful in some instances
for long-term imprisonment. There
have been 67 prosecutions in recent
times,” Australian Tourism Minis-
ter Martin Ferguson said in an
interview on February 9.
Ferguson said that the Australian
government was not taking these
attacks lightly and will do every-
thing possible to curb the criminal
acts.
“Of course if you don’t attend to
these difficulties then they will do
us long-term damage. Historically
one of the attractions of
Australia is that it’s a safe wel-
coming society... it’s very much
such a society,” said the minister
who has been a member of the Aus-
tralian House of Representatives
since March 1996, representing the
Batman, a constituency in Mel-
bourne, which has been the epicen-
tre of recent attacks.
“My constituency is close to central
Melbourne and there are people from
150 different countries. It a harmo-
nious local community and there are
very few places in the world where
you get people from so many different
countries living together and working
together,” said the 57-year-old Aus-
tralian Labour Party member.
“My constituency is a prime exam-
ple of society in Australia. But I also
have a significant number of young
university students living in my elec-
torate, in universities of Melbourne
and Trobe who are very much devot-
ing their energy and applying their
8 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
minds to educational opportunities,”
he said. The spate of attacks on Indi-
ans in Australia has caused an out-
cry in India. One of the vicious
attacks proved fatal.
The minister said steps needed to
be taken to ensure quality education
to Indian students at affordable cost.
“I think it is fair
to say that in
terms of voca-
tional education
and some English
language cours-
es, we have to
attend to some
Martin Ferguson issues to make
sure that young Indian students get
a quality education opportunity and
are capable of paying for it without
spending too much time working
rather than applying their minds to
educational requirements,” he said.
According to the minister, one of
the major causes of attacks on Indi-
an students is that they live in crime-
prone suburbs and work in late
shifts to survive in the country.
“There has been a 27 percent
increase in the number of students
in 2008-09 from the previous year.
There has been tension in Victoria
(the province of which Melbourne is
the capital). More than 50 percent
Indian students actually go there.
The real problem we had is with
respect to some of the students living
in some of the suburbs which his-
torically had high instances of crim-
inality,” Ferguson said.
“They work in service stations,
fast food outlets, take shift jobs at
all hours of night, which is when
criminality occurs. In some ways
their lifestyle has put them in the
frontline of attacks. We tried some
laws in Victoria, we have put more
police and we have got them to do
random checks on people,” he
added. — Richa Sharma
Advisory for Oz-bound students
India has issued guidelines for those wishing to study in Australia,
which include immediate registration with Indian High Commission
Research
lChecking that the institution and
the course that you plan to take, is
properly registered with the Aus-
tralian government, which you can
do at http://cricos.deewr. gov.au
lMake sure that you have a writ-
ten agreement from the institution
before paying any fees; this will be
essential if there is any dispute.
Settling down
lAfter completing enrolment for-
malities, familiarise yourself with
the student services offered by the
institution that you have joined,
such as counseling services, help
in finding suitable accommodation
and jobs, assistance in improving
your English etc.
lWhatever accommodation you
choose, remember it is your
responsibility to maintain it and
keep it clean. If you are sharing
accommodation, discuss how
domestic chores would be shared
before committing yourself.
lLearn about your rights as a stu-
dent and the procedures that
you should follow to exercise
these rights. You have many
rights as a student in Aus-
tralia. You don’t have to be a
victim.
Living safely
l Keep important documents
and money in a safe place.
lDo not walk alone at night
especially in the city. If you
are travelling alone, make
sure that you have checked
out your route carefully and
keep to well-lit, populated
areas
lIf in danger dial 000 to get
police help. Check out the
other hotline numbers in the
“Resource Section” below.
lRegister with the Indian
diplomatic mission that cov-
ers your area of residence
Resources
lThe official website of the
Government of Australia for
international students can be
accessed at http://studyinaus-
tralia.gov.au/Sia/Splash2.aspx.
This website also offers a general
guide to studying and living in
Australia at http://studyinaus-
tralia.gov.au/Sia/en/StudyGuide_
pdf.pdf.
Indian Diplomatic
Mission in Australia
lHigh Commission of India,
3-5, Moonah Place, Yarralumla,
ACT (Canberra)-2600,
Australia
Tel : 00-61-2-62733999
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
Fax : 00-61-2-62731308
Email: hoc@hcindia-au.org,
hc@hcindia-au.org
Website: www.hcindia-au.org
lConsulate General of India
1st Floor, 15, Munro
Street, Coburg,
Melbourne, Victoria-3058,
Australia
Tel: 00-61-3-93840460
Fax: 00-61-3-93841609
Email: cgo@cgimelb.org
Website : www.cgimelb.org
lConsulate General of India
Level 27, 25 Bligh Street,
Sydney, NSW 2000,
Australia
Tel : 00-61-2-92239500
Fax : 00-61-2-92239246
Email: indianc@indiancon-
sulatesydney.org
Website: www.indianconsulatesyd-
ney.org
Australian Diplomatic
Mission in India
lHigh Commission of Australia
1/50, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi — 110021
Tel: 011 — 41399900
Fax: 011 — 41494491
Email: austhighcom.newdelhi@
dfat.gov.au
Website:
www.india.embassy.gov.au
lConsulate General of Australia
512, Aplha, Raheja Towers,
177 Anna Salai,
Chennai 600 002
Tel: 044 — 26801160
Fax: 044 — 28604988
Website: www.austrade.gov.au
lConsulate General of Australia
36 Maker Chambers VI,
220 Nariman Point,
Mumbai — 400021
Tel : 022 — 66692000
9
 NEWS
Kerala sets up diaspora fund
Welfare scheme includes pension, financial assistance and insurance
illed as India’s first welfare
B scheme for the diaspora,
the Kerala government and
the Kerala Pravasi Welfare
Fund (KPWF) on February 6 began
an awareness campaign to promote
the fund among the expatriates.
This fund was set up under the
Pravasi Kerala Welfare Bill 2008
and is intended for the welfare
needs of the economically backward
among the diaspora.
Speaking to reporters after the
first regional meeting of represen-
tatives of the various diaspora
organisations, KPWF chairman
T.K.Hamza said that the fund’s
main features would be the pension
scheme and other welfare schemes
like assistance to set up self employ-
ment projects, financial assistance
for the women for two child births,
an insurance scheme and even an
hospitalisation benefit scheme for
the members.
“The minimum age of entry to this
scheme is 18 years and the maximum
age is 55. Another yardstick is that
these people should have spent at
least two years outside the country.
Pension would be disbursed when
the member reaches the age of 60,”
‘India-Arab trade can double by 2014’
I
ndia will strive towards dou-
bling its trade with the Arab
region by 2014, Commerce Min-
ister Anand Sharma said in New
Delhi on February 8.
“We will look towards doubling
bilateral trade with the Arab world
by 2014. We can do it,” Sharma said
at the inaugural session of the two-
day second India-Arab Investment
projects conclave, organised by
Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The current trade between India
and the Arab states stands at $114
billion per year.
10 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
said Hamza, a former Communist
party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP.
Keralites settled elsewhere in
India can also become members.
“Online applications are now
available for those who want to reg-
ister and all have to pay a mem-
bership fee of Rs. 200. Those inter-
ested in the pension scheme should
contribute Rs. 300 per month for
five years while the Keralites with-
in the country will have to pay Rs.
100 every month. The minimum
term that each member should con-
tribute is five years, after which it
is optional,” Hamza said.
Even though there are more than
two million non-resident Keralites,
Sharma urged
the sovereign
wealth funds
based in the
region to look
towards India,
noting it was now
one of the most
Anand Sharma
attractive invest-
ment destination in the world.
“Hopefully, we will grow at about
7.5 percent this year. Our govern-
ment is determined to further
accelerate the momentum of
growth,” Sharma said.
While the Gulf region was a rich
there could be at least half a million
who will take part in the scheme.
“Today was the first awareness
campaign meeting, now we will
have two more regional meetings
and then in all the district head-
quarters, then outside the state
and then in the Middle East coun-
tries to promote the scheme,” he
said.
The state government has chipped
in with Rs. 30 million and now
Hamza is seeking the support of the
central government and asking
them to release a portion of the emi-
gration deposit lying with the it,
unclaimed as the depositors have
misplaced the receipt.
source for India’s energy needs,
trade was not restricted to that sec-
tor. “Our trade is booming and
even in difficult times, the trade
has increased to the extent of 70
percent for some countries like
Morocco and Algeria,” he said.
Speaking at a ministerial session,
United Arab Emirate’s Minister for
Foreign Trade, Sheikha Lubna bint
Khalid al Qasimi, pointed out that
India has become her country’s top
trade partner. “Our bilateral trade
was already reaching $48 billion
and this includes only non-oil sec-
tor,” she said.
Proud moments... Fund to help
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Zakaria, Rahman young scientists
and Aamir Khan among Padma awardees
Y
oung researchers struggling
to muster funds to establish
obel Laureate Venkatraman the group has over 22 centres in their startups have reason to
N Ramakrishnan, Apollo Hos- major metropolises in India with a
pital group chairman combined turnover of over $100 mil-
Prathap C. Reddy, and theatre per- lion. Alkazi is the founding head of
smile — the Indian government has
set up a corpus of Rs. 550 million
to help scientists convert their
sonalities Ebrahim Alkazi and the India’s premier theatre training prototypes to tangible commercial
Zohra Segal are among the six peo- institute, the National School of products.
ple awarded the Padma Vib- “This (venture capital) fund will
hushan, India’s second highest now help researchers become
civilian award, in the Republic entrepreneurs,” Science Minister
Day honours list announced Prithviraj Chavan said in New Delhi
on January 25. on February 8. The fund will be
Actor Aamir Khan, Oscar- provided to startups registered
winning musician A.R. Rah- with nearly 40 science and business
man and Indian American edi- ‘incubators’, which help researchers
tor Fareed Zakaria are among set up new companies, in the coun-
the 43 people awarded the Venkatraman Fareed Zakaria try during the 2010-11 financial
Padma Bhushan, the third Ramakrishnan year. These incubators help to take
highest honour. Drama; Segal, 97, is the doyenne of the laboratory prototypes to the
Actors Rekha and Saif Ali Khan, theatre and has appeared in numer- masses as tangible products.
musician F. Wasifuddin Dagar, car- ous Bollywood and Hollywood The fund will be managed by the
diologist K.K. Aggarwal, sports movies. Science and Technology Park in
stars Virendra Sehwag (cricket), Seventeen of the Padma Pune, where the Indian Steps and
Saina Nehwal (badminton), Vijen- awardees are women, while 13 are Business Incubator Association
der Singh (boxing) and Ignace foreigners, NRIs or people of Indi- (ISBA) secretariat is located.
Tirkey (hockey) as also cricket an origin (PIOs). Of the 130 Rajendra Jagdale, secretary gener-
coach Ramakant Achrekar are awardees, the bulk — 37 — are al of ISBA, said the fund will help
among the 81 people named for the from the world of art, 24 from the many new enterprises to come up
Padma Shri, the fourth highest sphere of literature and education, as it would help researchers shift
civilian award. 16 from medicine, 14 from trade their innovation from the science
For the second successive year, and industry, 10 from science and lab to the market. This is the first
engineering and six from ever venture capital fund for busi-
the world of sports. ness incubation.
Others who have been “There is no point producing a
honoured are 11 social prototype or publishing a thesis
workers, five for public
affairs, four for civil service
hoping that someone will pick it
up. Here ISBA and the fund will
come to their help. ISBA is just five
and one each for public ser-
vice, journalism and envi- years old but they are doing a great
ronment protection. job in networking for resources,”
President Pratibha Patil Chavan said. “The whole intention
A.R. Rahman Rekha will give away the awards is to convert knowledge to enter-
at an investiture ceremony prises,” the minister said.
the Bharat Ratna, the country’s in Rashtrapati Bhavan in He said the government has been
highest civilian honour, has not March/April. at the forefront to help set up start-
been awarded. It was last given in Among the others honoured with up companies to generate employ-
2008 to classical singer Bhimsen the Padma Vibhushan are percus- ment. “Innovation through incuba-
Joshi. sionist Umayalpuram K. Sivara- tion is the way forward for sustain-
Of the Padma Vibhushan man and former Reserve Bank of able inclusive growth. This initiative
awardees, Ramakrishnan, a US cit- India governor Y.V Reddy. The will go a long way in achieving sus-
izen, received the 2009 Nobel Prize Padma Bhushan awardees include tainable growth through science
for chemistry. Reddy set up India’s Ramakant M. Panda who had con- and technology tools,” said R.M.P.
first corporate hospital with the ducted Prime Minister Manmohan Jawahar, president of ISBA.
Apollo in Chennai in 1983. Today, Singh’s heart surgery last year.
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 11
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
FORWARD, TOGETHER
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010 was another step forward in helping to
forge deeper ties with India’s vast Diaspora
f anything clearly stood out
I and made Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas 2010 a very special affair,
it was the Prime Minister’s
assurance to overseas Indians
spread across the globe and gath-
ered under one roof, this time in
New Delhi, that his government
was working on giving the right to
exercise franchise to Persons of
Indian Origin by the next general
elections due in 2014.
Dr. Singh said that overseas Indi-
ans should be encouraged to join
12 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
public life and politics upon their
return to India, just as they are join-
ing business and academia.
Prime Minister Singh said that
India had become one of the top
investment destinations in the
world, but overseas Indians had
remained conservative investors
even though they were good savers.
He urged them to invest their sav-
ings in long-term opportunities for
direct investment rather than keep
their money in bank deposits. He
hoped that the Overseas Investment
Facilitation Centre would become
an effective tool for channeling
such investments. He also urged
overseas Indians to become
involved in the economic and social
development of the country.
While rapid growth had helped to
lift millions of people out of pover-
ty, much remains to be done in this
area. Sectors like infrastructure,
agriculture, health and education
will be the priority for his govern-
ment in its second term, he said.
The Chief Guest at the mega event
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
lighting the lamp to inaugurate the
8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010, in
New Delhi on January 8, 2010.
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs
Vayalar Ravi is also seen. To the left
are Venu Srinivasan, President,
Confederation of Indian Industry,
and Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary,
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
was Lord Khaleed Hameed, CBE
DL, Hampstead. Lord Hameed deliv-
ered an inspirational inaugural
address, calling for inter-faith har-
mony as the only road to peace and
prosperity in a globalising world.
Drawing on India’s ancient reper-
toire of wisdom, the Atharva Veda,
he said: “We are birds of the same
nest, we may have different skins,
different language, different cul-
tures but we share the same home
— our earth”.
While Delhi Chief Minister Sheila
Dikshit welcomed delegates to
We are birds of the same nest, we may
have different skins, different language,
different cultures, but we share the same
home, our earth — Lord Khaleed Hameed
Delhi and vowed to turn New Delhi
into a truly global city, Minister for
Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar
Ravi said that his Ministry would
endeavour to develop an agenda for
action to engage with the Indian
diaspora around the key pillars of
Investment, Knowledge, Philan-
thropy and Skills Development.
PBD 2010 saw three Plenary ses-
sions, six Concurrent sessions and
a Valedictory Session marked by
the presentation of the prestigious
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards
by the President Pratibha Patil who
also delivered the Valedictory
Address.
Delivering the keynote address at
the “Interaction with Union Minis-
ters: Diaspora — Interests & Con-
cerns”, Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee said that India could
achieve 9-10 percent growth and
that the diaspora had an important
role to play in this.
The Finance Minister also
released the book The Idea of Giv-
ing, published by the Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs and pro-
duced by IANS, which focuses on
stories of Indian PIOs who have
given back to the country by shar-
ing their fortunes and expertise.
Several prominent PIO ministers
spoke at Plenary II. The session was
addressed by such luminaries as
Harinder Takhar, Minister for Gov-
ernment Services, Canada; Dato
Seri S Samy Vellu, President,
Malaysian National Congress; Sen-
ator Dr. Lenny K. Saith, Minister in
the Office of Prime Minister,
Trinidad & Tobago; Dr. S. Subra-
maniam, Minister for Human
Resources, Malaysia; Vivian Bal-
akrishnan, Minister for Communi-
ty Development and Sports, Singa-
pore; Mahendra P. Chaudhary, Sec-
retary General, Fiji Labour Party,
Fiji; Vasant K. Bunwaree, Minister
for Education, Culture & HR, Mau-
ritius; and Ravigasen Ranganathan
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
Pillay, Member of Kwazulu Natal
Legislature & ANC Chief Whip
Kwazulu – Natal Provincial Legis-
lature, South Africa.
Plenary II was made special by
Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, one of
the world’s most influential policy
intellectuals, presenting the first of
the PBD’s Distinguished Global
Indian Oration Series.
The topic of Plenary III was “Ses-
sion with Chief Ministers: Skills
Development”. The session exam-
ined some of the issues in education
and skills development at the state
level and had parallel State Ses-
sions.
The Concurrent Sessions dealt
with various diasporic aspects. The
first session was on “Returning to 9
percent growth: Diaspora Connect”;
the second was on “Leveraging
Knowledge Networks: Global Ink”;
the third on “Thousands of Fire-
flies: Diaspora Philanthropy”; the
fourth on “Diaspora Women in
Cross-Cultural Environments”; the
fifth on “Indians & the Gulf: Gulf
Session”, while the sixth session
was on “Future of PBD: The Road
Ahead”.
This year, 14 Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman Awards were given away
by President Pratibha Patil, to hon-
our and celebrate the success stories
of overseas Indians across the globe.
Seven awardees were from the field
of community service, three from
public service, three from medicine
and one from business.
In his valedictory address, Minis-
ter Vayalar Ravi assured the gath-
ering that his ministry will present
the action taken report on the sug-
gestions and recommendations
made during this year’s PBD.
Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary,
MOIA, welcomed the participants
at the Valedictory Session and
Venu Srinivasan, President, Con-
federation of Indian Industry, deliv-
ered the vote of thanks.
13
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
Welcoming overseas
Indians to New Delhi,
the Prime Minister
said their efforts have
gone a long way in
changing India’s
image in the world
ollowing is the text of Prime
F Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh’s speech at the eighth
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas,
delivered at Vigyan Bhavan in New
Delhi on January 8, 2010:
“It gives me great pleasure to join
you at the inauguration of the
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010. Every
year on this day, we celebrate and
honour the contributions overseas
Indians are making towards the
development of their spiritual and
ancestral home.
We are immensely proud of the
achievements of our diaspora. Your
achievements have made a great con-
tribution in changing the image of
A work in progress: PM
India to the world at large. Let me,
therefore, join Minister of Overseas
Indian Affairs (Vayalar Ravi) and
the Chief Minister of Delhi (Sheila
Dikshit) to welcome you to New
Delhi and wish you a very happy
New Year.
This year, we have the great hon-
our and privilege of having the dis-
tinguished Lord Khalid Hameed as
our chief guest. Lord Khalid Hameed
epitomises the spirit of the global
Indian. He is not only a very distin-
guished professional and entre-
preneur in the field of medicine and
healthcare, but he is also an active
leader in community services,
including those that promote inter-
faith harmony.
It is our privilege Sir to have you
as the chief guest this year. I extend
a very warm welcome to you Sir.
Yesterday, we held the first meeting
14 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
of the Prime Minister’s Global Advi-
sory Council of Overseas Indians.
Some of the best and brightest men
and women working in different
parts of the world in various fields
happen to be people of Indian origin.
This is a tremendous knowledge
pool and we would like the Council
to reflect on where India should be
heading in the next 20 years and
what we should do in government, in
business, in education and in arts
and culture and in promoting inter-
faith harmony to get where we ought
to be 20 years from now. I would like
to acknowledge the presence of the
Members of this Council and I thank
them for their time and effort in a
very valuable cause.
The year gone by was an eventful
year for India. We undertook the
largest democratic exercise in the
world during the general elections
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh delivering the inaugural
address at the Eighth Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas 2010 in New
Delhi on January 8, 2010.
that were held in May 2009. These
elections reinforced the values of plu-
ralism, tolerance and secularism
that are a defining ethic of Indians,
whether living in India or abroad.
I recognise the legitimate desire of
Indians living abroad to exercise
their franchise and have a say in
who governs India. We are working
on this issue and I sincerely hope
that they will get a chance to vote by
the time of the next regular general
elections. In fact, I would go a step
further and ask why more overseas
Indians should not return home to
join politics and public life as they
are increasingly doing in business
and academia.
We are all legitimately proud of
India’s vibrant democracy. But I can-
not say that we have delivered in full
measure on the enormous promise
and potential of our country. I recog-
nise the frustration well wishers feel
when they lament why things don’t
work faster or why well formulated
plans and policies don’t get imple-
mented as well as they should be.
It is probably true that we are a
slow moving elephant but it is equal-
ly true that with each step forward
we leave behind a deep imprint.
There is a price that we pay in try-
ing to carry all sections of our peo-
ple along in national development. It
is perhaps a price worth paying.
Each citizen should feel that his or
her voice is heard and have a sense
of participation in national develop-
ment. This is the only way we know
to accommodate the enormous diver-
sity of opinions and interests in our
country. It is also this characteristic
that makes our democracy so
vibrant. But underlying our system
is an inherent political and econom-
ic resilience that gives our country
and its institutions great strength
and buoyancy. During the year gone
by, the world faced an unprecedent-
ed economic and financial crisis. But
the Indian economy weathered the
crisis quite well. We were affected,
but not as much as many other coun-
tries. We hope to achieve this year a
growth rate of around 7 percent,
which is one of the fastest in the
world. We are equally optimistic that
we can return to and sustain an
annual growth rate of 9-10 percent in
a couple of years.
The rapid growth of India’s econo-
my in the past few years has helped
lift millions of people out of poverty.
We have been able to expand access
to education, healthcare and eco-
nomic opportunities to a vast major-
ity of our population.
This is, however, a work in
progress and much more remains to
be done. I solicit your assistance to
achieve those goals. We wish to
accelerate the efforts to effectively
address the key constraints in the
areas of infrastructure, agriculture,
health and education. These are the
Overseas Indians tend to be somewhat conservative investors. Most
remittances are placed in bank deposits. Foreign Direct Investment
in India by overseas Indians is low. I urge overseas Indians to take a
careful look at long-term investment opportunities in our country
It is probably true
that we are a slow
moving elephant, but
it is equally true that
with each step
forward we leave
behind a deep
imprint. There is a
price that we pay in
trying to carry all
sections of our
people. It is perhaps
a price worth paying
key priorities for the second term of
our government. We seek the active
involvement of the overseas Indian
communities in accelerating the
pace of our economic and social
development. In this context, it is
important that we make efforts to
connect the second generation of
overseas Indians with their ances-
tral heritage and involve them in
India’s march forward.
India is today one of the top invest-
ment destinations. Economic oppor-
tunities are expanding everywhere.
Overseas Indians, while being good
savers, tend to be somewhat conser-
vative investors. Most remittances
are placed in bank deposits. Foreign
Direct Investment in India by over-
seas Indians is low and far short of
potential. I would urge overseas Indi-
ans to take a careful look at long-
term investment opportunities now
on the horizon in our country.
Indian industry is rapidly devel-
oping a global orientation. Many
Indian companies are transforming
themselves into multinational cor-
porations with global brand names.
As Indian industry steps outward,
the Indian diaspora could do more to
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
inter-link Indian industry with glob-
al markets. They could reinforce the
improving brand image of India. I
sincerely hope that the newly estab-
lished Overseas Indian Facilitation
Centre will become an effective hub
for promoting two-way interaction
between the overseas Indian com-
munity and our institutions.
About forty percent of the total
remittances of over $50 billion in
2007-2008 came from skilled and
semi-skilled overseas Indian work-
ers. The security of our overseas
workers and students is a top prior-
ity of my government. Many of them
have been badly affected by the eco-
nomic crisis. We are conscious of the
need to structure an appropriate
“Return and Resettlement Fund”
and we are working on a project to
provide a social security safety net
for the returning workers. We have
been negotiating with the govern-
ments of countries with large emi-
grant Indian populations to improve
the welfare and protection offered to
our workers.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs has established the “Indian
Community Welfare Fund” in 18
countries in which there is a signif-
icant overseas Indian workforce.
In the coming years, India will
need to invest much more in build-
ing physical, social and human cap-
ital. We would like to benefit from
the services of overseas Indian pro-
fessionals and volunteers to help
Indian workers upgrade skills in spe-
cific trade where there is growing
demand.
I end with a thought from Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore who once
observed: “For us the highest pur-
pose of this world is not merely liv-
ing in it, knowing it and making use
of it, but realising our own selves in
it through expansion of sympathy;
not alienating ourselves from it and
dominating it, but comprehending
and uniting it with ourselves in
perfect union.”
15
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010

understand Islam post 9/11 and
11/26. The perpetrators of these
crimes against humanity not only
killed many innocent people, but
also created a great paradox for
Islam, which sees itself as a religion
of peace and is now associated with
murder and mayhem.
l However, Islam prohibits not
only the killing of the innocent, but
is also most severe on the act of sui-
cide. There is a clear Quranic
instruction against taking one’s own
life. Therefore, let me say it clearly
for all to hear that exploding bombs
and firing bullets with an act of sui-
cide to kill innocent people in buses,
bazaars, planes, trains, schools,
places of worship or anywhere else,
Lord Khalid Hameed meeting Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the inauguration of the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas 2010, in New Delhi on January 8, 2010. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi is also seen.
is totally un-Islamic and against the
teachings of the Quran. All Muslims,
therefore, must do all they can to
stop this evil depravity.
that we see in newspapers every day
which only leads to the poisoning of
our minds against each other.
l Here in India, we must fully par-
ticipate and celebrate in a thriving
democratic, secular and multi-cul-
tural society with different faiths liv-
ing peacefully together side by side.
Can I therefore, as a Muslim,
recognise God’s image in a stranger
who is not a fellow Muslim? That is,
can I see God’s image in a Hindu, in
a Sikh or in a Christian or Jew?
Islam tackles this confusion by say-
ing to Muslims in the Quran to
respect all of God’s creation regard-
less of religion or method of wor-
ship: Oh you men — we have created
you male and female and I have made
Let me say it clearly for all
to hear that exploding
From the Christian faith, the
instruction in this context is very
clear: “Love thy neighbour”. And
the Zoroastrian and Buddhist faiths
talk of “The brotherhood of man”.
l My message to youth attracted to
violence and aggression, is to reject
extremism which robs them of edu-
cation and responsible citizenship
and points them in the direction of
violence and self destruction.
l Interfaith dialogue is the only
way forward to addressing differ-
ences amongst faiths. This dialogue
is no longer a luxury of a few well-
meaning individuals, it has become
a necessity in demanding action
without which only catastrophe
stares us in the face.

INTERFAITH dialogue is key... l The accepted teachings of Islam

which have prevailed throughout
the centuries are based on the belief
in piece and compassion. It is appro-
bombs and firing bullets to kill
innocent people in buses, bazaars,
planes, trains, schools, places of
priate to say that terrorists are evil,
(Excerpts from Lord Khaleed Hameed’s speech) regardless of what religion they worship or anywhere else, is
belong to. The terrorists are a tiny totally un-Islamic and against
minority. The majority of the world,
r. Prime Minister, to our present day is religion. This it is often the innocent who are their including Muslims, condemns them.
the teachings of the Quran

M Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Hon-

ourable Smt Sheila Dik-
shit, Mr. Srinivasan,
Dr. Didar Singh, My Lords, Excel-
lencies, distinguished ladies and
gentlemen. For me it is a unique
honour to address this august gath-
ering celebrating the presence
around the world of Indians settled
abroad who act as the unofficial
ambassadors for this country and
who are gathered here today to cel-
ebrate and rejoice in the growth and
development of this great nation
which can be especially proud of its
pluralistic society, its democracy
and its secularism.
l When I was thinking of what I
should say to you this morning
about India which has harboured
and welcomed every faith on this
planet, what seemed appropriate to
talk to you about — interfaith dia-
logue, which I consider most perti-
nent in our troubled times for India
and the rest of the world.
l One of the most divisive elements
through centuries of human history
was not meant to be so; but extrem-
ists in many faiths are bent upon
exploiting religion for their own
nefarious agendas.
l As we know, religion can be a
force for peace or war; it can heal or
hurt. It can create or destroy on a
scale unimaginable to previous gen-
erations. Human history is filled
with episodes involved with reli-
gion, of misguided believers respon-
sible for the slaughter of fellow
humans on the altar of religion.
l Though there is warmth here this
morning, there is also much fear and
hatred outside in the world. Yet, we
cannot be discouraged. There is
enough commonality in world reli-
gions to enable us to reach out to our
fellow humans.
l Humans beings have demonstrat-
ed their genius for creativity. How-
ever, despite our glorious achieve-
ments, we have lost none of our abil-
ity to destroy and kill fellow humans
with impunity.
l When extremists inflict violence
on society in the name of ‘religion’
main victims. This must be resisted
by the community at large. Voices
must be raised in protest.
l A famous politician once
observed that if we were to wake up
one morning to find that we were all
the same race, religion and nation-
ality, we would still find some other
reason to hate each other by the
afternoon. How sad. Is human
nature indeed that dark?
l Of late, our society has become
increasingly concerned for our phys-
ical security from the threat of
extremists and terrorists. Attention
has been focused in the direction of
the radical elements from the fol-
lowers of Islam from where mainly,
the recent atrocities have come. To
prevent our world from moving
from one crisis to another, we need
to reassess the relationship between
Islam and others.
l One of the challenges of our time
is whether modern people living in
both Islamic and other cultures can
co-exist on this planet.
l It is important, therefore, to
l Let me give you a glaring exam-
ple of how selective our principal
source of information, the media,
can be. One of the most venerated
and respected figures of the Islam-
ic world Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al
Sheikh is the Grant Mufti of Saudi
Arabia where the most holy sites
for Islam are based. A few weeks
ago he delivered the annual Hajj
sermon for the annul pilgrimage
where nearly two million Muslims
were gathered.
There, with many in the Muslim
world listening, he underscored the
true teachings of Islam for ultimate
success in this world and the here-
after through peace and harmony
and he declared that Islam had noth-
ing to do with terrorism and extrem-
ism and urged the Muslims to unite
against the incidents of suicide
bombings, etc. This is a recipe for
Hell rather than a place in Paradise.
It is my sincere wish that our won-
derful media worldwide would have
given more prominence to such a
message rather than the drip drab
you nations and tribes that you may
know one another. So, the noblest of
you in the sight of God is the best for
conduct (Surah 49:13)
Other faiths have similar advice
when faced with some of the same
problems. The Hebrew part of the
Bible commands: When a stranger
lives with you in your land, do not ill-
treat him. A stranger who lives with
you should be treated like a native
born. Love him as yourself for you
were strangers in the land of Egypt.
I am the Lord your God.
From the ancient Hindu scriptures
Subha Shitim comes this advice:
This man is ours, that man is a
stranger. Discrimination of this kind
is found only amongst mean-minded
people. Those who are noble, to them
the whole world is one family. A
great teacher and leader of the Sikh
religion, Guru Gobind Singh, taught
the communality of religions and the
oneness of God. He mentioned that
the Ram of the Hindus and the
Rahim of the Muslims were ONE.
l Amongst the teachings of the
Hindu religions, there is especially
one prayer from the Atharva Veda
which I would like to share with
you. Its English translation from
Sanskrit goes like this:
We are birds of the same nest
We may wear different skins
We may speak different languages
We may believe in different religions
We may belong to different cultures
Yet we share the same home — our
Earth
l Finally, taking time to be friends
is an investment, not least because
it establishes a climate to modify
one’s set views and those of others.
The effort on the part of any one
individual in this cause may well be
perceived as a ‘drop in a bucker’, but
many drops, when added together,
could make a big difference to the
emptiness of that bucket.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentle-
men, I invite your participation to
bring the prayer from the Vedas to
fruition.

16 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 17

 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee addressing the 8th
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010 in
New Delhi on January 8.
TARGET: 9 PC GROWTH
India can achieve the mark and the Diaspora can play an important role
in making this a reality, says Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
elivering the keynote
D address at the ‘Interaction
with Union Ministers:
Diaspora — Interests &
Concerns’ at Plenary I, Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee said
that India could achieve 9-10 per-
cent growth and that the diaspora
had an important role to play in
making this a reality.
Congratulating the PIOs on their
achievements, Mukherjee said that
18 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
the 25 million strong Indian dias-
pora spread over 110 countries had
risen to the top of their respective
societies and are in a position to
contribute in India’s development.
Elaborating on the areas where
PIOs could contribute, the Finance
Minister suggested technology
transfer, skill building and build-
ing India as a knowledge society
and economy.
He also released the book The
Idea of Giving, which focuses on sto-
ries of Indian PIOs who have given
back to the country by sharing their
fortunes and expertise.
Governance reforms to strength-
en the rule of law: Moily
Emphasising the role of good gov-
ernance in the overall development
of the country, Veerappa Moily,
Minister of Law and Justice, said
that the concept was widely accept-
ed in the political arena, public
Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily addressing the 8th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas 2010 in New Delhi on January 8.
Current decade to be decade of
infrastructure: Kamal Nath
The last decade was the decade of
IT, this would be the decade of
infrastructure, said Kamal Nath,
Minister of Road Transport &
Highways. Infrastructure deficit
was one of the key deficits faced by
India, he said, and emphasised on
the need for bridging this deficit and
on the need for inclusive growth.
Roads cutting across the length
and breadth of the country will help
generate economic activity and cre-
ate wealth, he said, adding that the
target was to build 7,000 km of roads
every year. Nath said that for this,
investment of $50 billion was
required, which was an investment
opportunity for the Indian diaspora.
Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on infrastructure,
innovation and information, addressing the PBD on January 8, 2010.
administration and developmental
management. Dwelling on gover-
nance reforms, Moily said that the
Right to Information Act was an
important legislation for ensuring
transparency in the functioning of
the government machinery.
Many other such measures were
in the pipeline, including the Com-
mercial Courts Bill and the Judges
Standards and Accountability bill,
Moily said.
He added that the government
was working towards making India
the most preferred investment
destination for international
arbitration.
Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath addressing PBD in
New Delhi on January 8, 2010.
IT sector offers the Indian dias-
pora many opportunities: Pitroda
Addressing the session Sam Pitro-
da, Adviser to the Prime Minister
of India, said that opportunities for
the diaspora existed in the areas of
Information Technology, Knowledge
and Innovations, in India. The IT sec-
tor, enabled by the telecom revolu-
tion of the 1980s, has today become
an industry with exports to the tune
of US $ 60 billion. IT could play an
important role in addressing issues
related to governance and inclusive
growth. Sharing the opportunities in
the education sector, he said that the
proposed 30 new national universi-
ties, 14 innovation universities and
the skill development projects pro-
vide attractive engagement opportu-
nities for the diaspora. The session
was moderated by Minister for Over-
seas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 19
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010

Leveraging KNOWLEDGE
MOIA had announced the Global India Network for Knowledge at the
Chennai PBD in 2009. The current edition explored ways in which the
flow of ideas between India and her diaspora can be strengthened
Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna (centre) with PIO Ministers and dignitaries.
he flow of knowledge, mal global knowledge networks of of readiness to be a knowledge econ-

‘India a land of opportunities’

‘And it is going to remain that way for decades to come’
oday India is changing and
Highlighting India’s resilience,
Human Resources, Malaysia,
T expertise and ideas
between India and over-
seas Indians is an example
of a symbiotic two-way relationship
that extends in both directions. To
formalise this exchange, the Min-
istry of Overseas Indian Affairs
Indians across the globe, powerful
in their reach and scope, the likes
of Pan IIT Alumni Association.
Sharing his views on the subject,
Prof. Dasarath Chetty, Universi-
omy and that the diaspora could
take the lead in providing ‘social
capital’ on the Global INK network.
Ms. Renu Khator, Chancellor
and UH President, University of
ty of Kwa Zulu Natal, Durban Houston, shared her views on how
SA, said that such networks would knowledge networks

T is becoming the land of

opportunities. The pace at
which India is growing, I
can say with confidence that it will
remain so for decades to come,”
said Anand Sharma, Minister for
Commerce and Industry. The
minister was speaking at Plenary
Session II on “Interaction with PIO
Ministers and Dignitaries: Diaspo-
ra-Interests and Concerns” during
the 8th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. The
Session was attended by nine min-
isters of Indian origin.
As India is writing its own essay
in the 21st century, its engagement
with the world has increased many
folds. Not just foreign investments
in India have increased, but invest-
ments by Indian corporates have
also shown tremendous momen-
tum, Sharma said. India’s invest-
ments in UK, for example, have
been more than their investments
in India, he said. “India remains
one of the top three investment des-
tinations even in recessionary con-
ditions and we are determined to
maintain that position,” he said.
India has come a long way from
the times when the best brains left
the country in search of opportuni-
ties — that was the era of Brain
Drain. Today the same Diaspora
forms a formidable Brain Bank of
India, pointed out SM Krishna,
Minister for External Affairs.
The Indian government recognises
the significance of the diaspora. The
establishment of the Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs is a symbol
of the importance attached, he said.
Krishna said: “As we meet here, I
can say with pride that our nation
stands on the cusp of transforma-
tion. We have not just weathered
the worst recession, but come out
with flying colours”. Minister
Krishna said that the strength of
the Indian economy is testimony to
the skillful package put into effect
by the government and to the
dynamism and entrepreneurship of
Indian businessmen.
Dato Seri S Samy Vellu, Presi-
dent, Malaysian National
Congress, outlined the key areas of
possible engagement for Indian
diaspora, to include an Indian
incorporated consortium as an
investment arm for the diaspora,
expansion of global tertiary educa-
tion and creating inclusive growth
through more engagements with
the diaspora. A coordinated effort
could help both India as well as the
diaspora, Seri Vellu said.
Harinder Takhar, Minister for
Government Services, Canada, put
forth concerns of persons of Indian
origin in Canada, including issues
related to investments, PIO/OCI
cards and national security.
PIOs contribute in a significant
manner to the multicultural dimen-
sion of many parts of the world, said
Senator Dr Lenny K Saith, Minis-
ter in the Office of Prime Minister,
Trinidad & Tobago. “We would like
to join hands with India for develop-
ment,” he said.
Underscoring the key areas of
intervention for the Indian diaspora,
Dr S Subramaniam, Minister for
pointed out that human capital
development, increased availability
of educational, and skill development
initiatives can help promote better
engagement.
Highlighting the friendly relations
between Singapore and India,
Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for
Community Development and
Sports, Singapore, emphasised the
critical role of fair distribution of
opportunities to build on success in
future. “As long as we treat each
other fairly, success will be available
to all of us,” he said.
Mahendra P Chaudhary, Secre-
tary General, Fiji Labour Party,
Fiji, suggested that India should
work towards promoting the real
essence of its economy in the south
Pacific part of the world. He also rec-
ommended that India should contin-
ue its diplomatic dialogue in pro-
moting democratic framework in the
world economy.
Vasant K Bunwaree, Minister
for Education, Culture & HR,
Mauritius, pointed out that Indian
culture and education system is its
backbone. He suggested that the Indi-
an government should encourage the
Indian diaspora by providing free-
dom to invest in the country.
Appreciating India’s achieve-
ments, Ravigasen Ranganathan
Pillay, Member of Kwazulu Natal
Legislature & ANC Chief Whip
Kwazulu – Natal Provincial Legis-
lature, South Africa, said that in a
world which is so interconnected, it
is important for everyone to go along
in a united fashion.
(MOIA) announced the Global
India Network for Knowledge, Glob-
al INK, at the Pravasi Bharatiya
Diwas in 2009. A session titled
Leveraging Knowledge Networks
be successful only if the financial
and competiveness impact is felt by
the participants.
He also advocated that the tacit
knowledge’, ideas and information
could be used in the
area of higher educa-
tion. She said that
access and excel-
lence were the two
– Global INK was organised at the that are not documented and hard most important areas that need
PBD 2010 to look at the future to communicate, should also be part attention. Making the higher edu-
direction of Global INK. of exchange. He also suggested live cation system flexible — anyone,
Moderating the session, Tanmoy contact amongst the participants to anytime, anywhere and in any field
Chakraborty, Vice President –
Operations, TCS, said that suc-
cessful Indians can be knowledge
givers not just in academic terms
but also in bridging the knowledge
gaps in various projects.
Explaining the concept of Global
INK, he said that the platform will
link the knowledge provider with
the recipients who need it. He
added that to start with the prima-
ry areas of focus would be in line
with the priorities of the XIth five
year plan. However, this would not
be a limiting factor for the future.
Detailing the concept of Global
INK, Kasi VP Rao, Member Steer- Participants at Concurrent Session II during PBD 2010 at New Delhi.
ing Group, Global INK, said that
the network will provide an insti- build a sense of commonality and — will not only increase the much
tutional mechanism to channel the trust. needed access to higher education
knowledge and expertise of the Dwelling on the various aspects of system in India but will also enable
diaspora on specific focus areas. Global Knowledge economies, Prof greater participation of the diaspo-
These include issues central to Prem Misir, Pro Chancellor of ra.
India’s economic growth, bridging the University of Guyana, defined Dr. Hemant Patel, President
the knowledge gap in execution of the four pillars of Global Knowl- Indian American Committee,
development projects, serve as a edge economies, namely consoli- USA, shared a model of healthcare
platform to connect knowledge dating economic and institutional delivery being currently imple-
groups and cultivate & facilitate frameworks, increasing the number mented by the diaspora in select vil-
participation in relevant knowledge of skilled workers, producing an lages of Gujarat. The model
transfer programmes efficient innovation system and addresses the issue of access to
He added that the network will more dynamic information infras- basic healthcare in Indian villages
also allow to tap into the phenome- tructure. and is based on a model adopted by
nal work done by some of the infor- He said that India was in a state the US Navy.

20 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 21

 FIRST PBD ORATION
PBD 2010
INDIA: THE ROLE
OF THE DIASPORA
Jagdish Bhagwati, recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award
and the Padma Vibhushan, delivered the first of the Distinguished
Global Indian Oration Series at PBD 2010 (Excerpts)
inister Vayalar Ravi,
M and the many Indians
abroad and at home
who are assembled
here: When Minister Ravi asked me
to give this Oration today, I felt
deeply honoured.
The honour is obvious: the audi-
ence I address is extremely distin-
guished and accomplished and sev-
eral among you could have been in
my place today. But there was also
the lurking fear that whatever I
could say might be thoroughly obvi-
ous to you. Fortunately, however,
Professors have the conceit that
they can always say something
new, at least adding a different
22 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
nuance. I have decided to talk to
you today about a familiar subject
that is of the utmost concern to you
and to our hosts at this Pravasi con-
ference. I will consider the role of
the diaspora in India’s ongoing
march to world-class status and,
equally importantly, in the still
incomplete and associated task of
alleviating the poverty that all our
great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi
and Pandit Nehru ceaselessly wrote
about and were concerned with.
A PERSONAL ANECDOTE
Let me begin, however, with a
personal anecdote which involves
my longstanding friend, the Prime
Jagdish Bhagwati
speaking at the 2010
Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas Conference
Minister with whom I overlapped
when we were both in Cambridge
in the mid-1950s studying for the
Economics Tripos. It underlines
dramatically why the diaspora has
a critical role to play in India’s pre-
sent and future.
Recall that the Indian policy
framework had degenerated into an
unproductive, even counterproduc-
tive, set of policy choices that had
produced the abysmal growth rate
of approximately 3.5 percent per
annum over nearly a quarter of a
century. With an average popula-
tion growth at 2 percent per annum,
that translated into a per capita
growth of roughly 1.5 percent per
annum! We Indians, with our abili-
ty to do compound arithmetic in
our heads, can readily see that,
compared to the growth rate at 7-8
percent per annum which countries
in East Asia had registered (and
which our reforms have led to since
the reforms began in earnest in
1991), we had lost growth by rough-
ly 4 percentage points annually and
that our income level would have
been 2.5 times larger than in 2010 if
only we had registered this higher
growth throughout the last 45 years
rather than only after the 1991
reforms. We would have been at the
centre of world attention far more
dramatically, and indeed sooner.
The slow growth of the Indian
economy had also undermined the
assault on poverty that had been
our central objective since planning
began in 1951. It is only common-
sense that a stagnant economy can-
not pull people out from poverty
through job creation, even though a
growing economy may still not cre-
ate enough jobs. Growth was, in
fact, regarded correctly by us at the
time as the principal way to make
a sustained impact on poverty. The
problem was that our pre-reform
policies had failed to generate the
growth.
It is important to understand that
our reforms were driven by our
own realisation that we could not
go on the way we had earlier. This
was also true of the Soviet Union
where Mr. Gorbachev had decided
that they could also not go on the
way they had: their model, very
similar to our pre-reforms model on
the economic front, characterised
by inward-looking policies on trade
and inflow of foreign direct invest-
ment, and by knee-jerk intervention
everywhere, had also been disas-
trous. This was also true of Chinese
reforms that led to China’s dramat-
ic acceleration of growth and mas-
sive impact on Chinese poverty. It
is nonsensical to argue that these
reforms were a result of the so-
called Washington Consensus.
When these three massive coun-
tries shifted to the “liberal”
reforms, they could not have cared
what “Washington”, whether the
U.S. Administration or the Bretton
Woods institutions, thought. If
Washington had sunk into the
Atlantic Ocean, the three countries
would still have abandoned their
old ways.
THE DIASPORA AS CONTRIBU-
TOR TO OUR REFORMS
Indeed, the policymaking elites
were finally shocked into the
reforms by two factors that acted
like a pincer movement against the
status quo.
First, these elites increasingly
experienced, at first hand when
they went abroad, the disjunction
between their sense of India’s
ancient culture and glory and their
realisation that our foolish eco-
nomic policies had led to a situation
where few took us seriously. The
worst kind of psychological situa-
tion is where you have a superiori-
ty complex and an inferior status!
Second, our diaspora ceaselessly
brought home to these elites the
fact that these policies had little
rationale; they lived often in coun-
tries where our policies would have
been laughed out of court. I recall
writing an Op-Ed in the New York
Times when Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi was coming to the United
States and I had mentioned how he
represented a force for change and
how the licensing system had been
softened to allow for product diver-
sification. The Editor asked me
what that meant; and I explained
how the Indian licensing system
had gone so far as to insist on spec-
ifying whether one produced knives
or forks! The Editor was incredu-
lous: how could anyone think that
good planning meant that one could
not diversify production without
permission? I, a member of the dias-
pora, did mention this at the time
to several friends in the Indian gov-
ernment, to their chagrin. Indeed,
over time, the flood of such stories
coming from the diaspora helped to
lay the groundwork for the aboli-
tion of the senseless licensing
restrictions on capacity creation,
product diversification, on import
competition, that became part of the
liberal reforms.
THE DIASPORA’S ACHIEVE-
MENTS ABROAD CONTRIBUTE
TO INDIA’S IMAGE
But the diaspora has also con-
tributed to India’s achievement of
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 23
I once remarked
that we were the
next Jews of
America: a high
achieving diaspora
that would soon
dominate the
scene as the Jews,
once discriminated
against brutally,
had managed
to do. Today, that
forecast has
come true
world-class status by its achieve-
ments in a variety of fields of sci-
ence, arts and culture. Noting this
growing trend in the United States,
I once remarked that we were the
next Jews of America: a high
achieving diaspora that would soon
dominate the scene as the Jews,
once discriminated against brutal-
ly, had managed to do. Today, that
forecast has come true.
Not a day goes past when there is
not a story in the major media of
some notable scientific break-
through where an Indian is a lead
player. Our achievers have also
made it in literature, music and
films: Salman Rushdie, Zubin
Mehta and Mira Nair are household
names. In business, the Silicon Val-
ley and Wall Street CEOs like
Vikram Pandit are as often Indian
as they are Chinese and native
Americans.
The media also now have stars
like Fareed Zakaria and Tunku
Varadarajan. Even the leading les-
bian activist is Urvashi Vaid. I used
to joke that we certainly must have
made it to the mafia, just as the
Jewish community had Dutch
Schultz, but that we had not yet
heard about it.
 FIRST PBD ORATION
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
AN INTERACTIVE DIASPORA
The role of science in the diaspora
needs to be further highlighted. The
diaspora’s scientific achievements,
in virtually every field, have not just
enhanced India’s image in the world.
They have also led to a direct and
mutually-reinforcing synergy
between Indian science abroad and
at home. This is most visible of
course in India’s IT sector and its
symbiotic relationship with the Sili-
con Valley in California.
There was a time, in the 1950 and
1960s, when scientists found the local
atmospherics intolerable. There was
massive bureaucratic interference
and intrusion of the pettiest kind. So,
many of us left when an opportuni-
ty presented itself. I like to say that
whereas many Indians believe in
multiple births, we maximise our
welfare in the current one like every-
one else! Besides, the fear of a “brain
drain” is misguided. A “brain” sit-
ting in an uncogenial environment
can drain away faster than if it goes
to a stimulating interference-free
environment abroad! And so our sci-
entists took off in multitudes abroad.
But some of the persistent ones
stayed on; and as conditions
improved with time and enlightened
reforms, they flourished as well.
And, so now for some time, Indian
scientists abroad and at home have
acted like peas in a pod, interacting
and stimulating one another’s
achievements the way scientists do
when they talk and work together.
THE DIASPORA IS A CONDUIT
FOR VALUES THAT PROMISE
EGALITARIANISM; AND MON-
EYS AND ACTIVISM TO PRO-
MOTE SOCIAL CHANGE IN
INDIA
Perhaps the greatest contribution
that the diaspora in the United
States has made to India has been,
however, not just in our success
with increasing the growth rate and
reducing our poverty and in the
way it has enriched the growth of
science in India, but in bringing to
India, however slowly, the basic
change in attitudes towards egali-
tarianism and the commitment to
social activism that are so manifest
in the United States and have been
almost absent in India.
24 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
The diaspora’s
scientific
achievements, in
virtually every field,
have not just
enhanced India’s
image in the
world. They have
also led to a direct
and mutually
reinforcing synergy
between Indian
science abroad
and at home
On egalitarianism, our society
has been notoriously hierarchical,
treating those below us with crass
indifference while we tend to be
obsequious to those above in the
pecking order. A principal reason
for such behaviour, of course, is the
lack of economic and social mobili-
ty that has long obtained in India.
In this regard, I must invoke
Dr. Ambedkar, the father of our
Constitution and a great Dalit, who
studied at Columbia University
with the philosopher John Dewey,
and in whose name the Government
of India has just endowed a Chair in
Indian Constitutional Law at the
Columbia Law School. He has rem-
inisced about his time at Columbia
and how he had experienced social
equality there for the first time.
On giving of oneself to the com-
munity, let me not undersell the
great amount of good that our
fathers and grandfathers did to
advance the public good. Indeed, in
my own family, my brother the for-
mer Chief Justice of India, has
advanced Public Interest Litigation
and fought for legal aid for the poor
and the underprivileged.
But where we have fallen short is
in the young people’s willingness to
work for the public good. The young
in the Indian diaspora are now an
important conduit for spreading this
social orientation to the young in
India: fortunately, social values can
prevail over indifference and apathy.
My account would be incomplete
if I did not mention the outpouring
of funds and effort in India by many
not so fortunate as to come from
successful families and go to col-
leges. A fortunate few in the dias-
pora advertise brazenly their con-
tributions to NGO activity in India
from moneys earned from their suc-
cessful enterprises, and some others
from windfall incomes such as from
awards. They need to remember
Gandhiji’s favourite bhajan, which
says that “Vaishnav Jana to Tene
Kahiye, Je Peed Parayi Jane Re;
Para Dukhe Upakar Kare Toye
Mana Abhimana na Ane Re” that
clearly implies that helping the
needy is a task that a true Vaishnav
does without seeking the approba-
tion that giving can attract.
So, far more worthy is the sacri-
fice of the many in the diaspora
who struggle to save and who give
without any publicity and fanfare.
REMITTANCES AND TRICKLE-
UP ECONOMICS
But while incomes flow back to
India from the common folks such
as the Sharmas and from the well-
to-do and affluent members of the
Indian diaspora to advance social
causes, I should add that the con-
tribution of the non-affluent Shar-
mas to Indian well-being also comes
when they simply remit funds to
their families back home.
There is a broad asymmetry
between the low-income, often
unskilled, immigrants and the well-
off, often skilled, immigrants in
their remittance patterns.
The former typically come from
poorer families so the one who goes
abroad is expected to send moneys
home to support his parents and
siblings. By contrast, the latter
often come from well-to-do families
who do not need to send moneys
home to their families. Both groups
try to bring their siblings to the U.S;
but the emphasis differs since the
poorer immigrants try to bring
their family members simply to
work whereas the better off immi-
grants typically finance the educa-
tion in the U.S. of the family mem-
bers they seek to bring to the U.S.
The remittances home, even when
sent to families, have turned out to
be an important element of the ben-
efits from globalisation for the
developing countries, and indeed
for India where they were as large
as $41 billion in 2007-08, having
risen twenty-fold in less than just
two decades. The key advantage of
the remittances is that they accrue
to the people rather than, like most
foreign aid, to the governments. It
is well-known that, in many coun-
tries, foreign aid leaks into non-
developmental uses, which include
political graft and corruption,
though the Indian experience has
been better. Africans have now
increasingly come to condemn for-
eign aid inflows as a key source of
the failure to develop, though the
reaction is at time too extreme.
By contrast, the remittances go
directly to the poor families. This
leads to the trickle-up phenomenon
and is a more potent source of
growth. Many acute observers, who
are not necessarily on the right,
also argue that the Kerala model of
development, which is much cele-
brated by the Left, would have run
out of steam but that the State was
rescued by the remittances that
came in from export of many semi-
skilled and some unskilled workers
to the Middle East. Since the Left
often decries globalisation, it is
ironic that it is globalisation (on the
dimension of international migra-
tion) that may have saved their
favourite model of development
from collapse.
INTEGRATING FURTHER THE
DIASPORA WITH INDIA
In conclusion, let me just mention
that the diaspora, which con-
tributes so much to Indian well-
being in the ways I have sketched,
can be integrated profitably even
more fully with India. Indeed, the
start of the Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas, and the extension of greater
rights to people of Indian origin, are
among the measures of the Indian
governments which we must
applaud. But I might add that the
diaspora must think, not merely in
terms of improving their rights, but
also of extending their obligations.
Thus, while we get PIO cards,
which fall short of true citizenship,
we do need to move forward
towards proper dual citizenship, the
way many countries have done. It is
time for us to recognise that, in the
modern world, where people move
from one jurisdiction to another
while retaining loyalty to both, it
makes sense to offer dual citizen-
ship. This is a lesson we can learn
from many countries, and indeed
from the United States which per-
mits dual citizenship. Having the
full rights of citizenship would
bring the diaspora closer to the
kind of loyalty and identification of
their interests with those of India
much closer. Alongside, we must
also open up ways in which the
diaspora’s right to vote is also made
possible. But alongside these
improved rights, we in the diaspo-
ra also need to recognise obliga-
tions. Does it make sense for us, for
instance, not to accept any tax obli-
gations while we seek, and often
get, many of the same privileges
and benefits that go to Indians
working and living at home? I have,
therefore, long proposed that, just
as the U.S. does, citizenship and its
benefits must be associated with the
The diaspora can
be integrated
profitably even
more fully with
India. Indeed, the
start of the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas,
and the extension
of greater rights to
people of Indian
origin, are among
the measures of the
Indian government
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
tax obligations that go with citizen-
ship. Just as the “small” Tobin tax
on capital flows is associated with
the name of Professor James Tobin,
there is also, therefore, a Bhagwati
Tax which is to be collected, as a
“small” surcharge on the taxable
income of Indian citizens work-
ing/living abroad. Mind you, this is
a tax to be paid, not by the country
which we go to, but by us ourselves,
as our own contribution to the rev-
enues and welfare of the country
from which we came and whose cit-
izenship we continue to hold.
Long ago, on seeing the negative
reactions from many in the Indian
Diaspora, including my fellow “pro-
gressive” economist Amartya Sen
who decried the idea of the Bhag-
wati Tax, I had given up any hope
that the idea would gain ground. It
is interesting, therefore, that the
idea has now been revived and
there has been important new
work, especially by Professor Mihir
Desai of the Harvard Business
School and his associates including
Professor Devesh Kapoor now at
University of Pennsylvania, sup-
porting the idea of the Bhagwati
Tax.
I, therefore, urge Minister Vay-
alar Ravi to set up a new Commit-
tee to update the work of the
Sanghvi Committee which reported
in 2004 on the Indian diaspora, to
examine again the Rights and Obli-
gations of the Indian diaspora in
light of new developments and pos-
sibilities (such as the improved
international coordination between
different jurisdictions, as in the
case of the hitherto secret and
sacrosanct Swiss accounts of U.S.
nationals, which makes it possible
for India to seek coordination that
would make it a lot easier to enforce
tax obligations by India against its
citizens in the U.S. and elsewhere).
There are, indeed, many other
ways in which the rights and obli-
gations of the diaspora, so as to bet-
ter integrate it with India’s
progress, can be fruitfully explored
by such a Committee. A candidate
for such examination, for instance,
would be the demand by NRIs to be
able to have their children access
the IIT admissions. There are here
many opportunities: we merely
need to seize them.
25
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
DEVELOPING SKILLS
The government has set up the Skills Development Corporation in
partnership with the CII to fund innovations to upgrade skills
peaking at the Plenary Ses-
S
sion with chief ministers at
the Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas, Dr. Montek Singh
Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission, said that
India needs to address
the challenge of skill
development if it were
to achieve a growth
rate of 9-10 percent.
Approximately 500
million workers need to be skilled
over the next two decades. Massive
expansion is required in primary,
secondary and higher education, as
26 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
well as an improvement in quality.
Given that many Non-Resident
Indians occupy important positions
in global educational institutions,
the Indian government would
greatly welcome their involvement
in this process, he said. Any regu-
latory constraints on such partici-
pation will be relaxed, he said,
adding that the government has set
up the Skills Development Corpo-
ration in partnership with the Con-
federation of Indian Industry to
fund any innovative measures to
upgrade skills.
Speaking at the same session,
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister for
Health and Family Welfare,
urged Overseas Indians
to invest in the phar-
maceutical industry
and medical educa-
tion. He said there are
many opportunities in
the manufacture of drugs, as well
as research and development of
drugs and vaccines, drug design
and drug delivery systems. Azad
said that $80 billion worth of drugs
are to go off-patent in the next four
years. Overseas Indians would find
many opportunities to take advan-
Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission,
Montek Singh Ahluwalia,
Minister for Overseas
Indian Affairs Vayalar
Ravi, Minister for Health
and Family Welfare
Ghulam Nabi Azad and
other dignitaries at the 8th
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
2010, in New Delhi on
January 9.
tage of this situation by investing
in India, which has a well-devel-
oped pharmaceutical industry. He
said that the drug regulatory
framework is being modernised to
make it more growth oriented.
Azad also spoke about the short-
age of qualified manpower at all
levels, including doctors, nurses
and paramedicals.
He said that he had given recog-
nition to medical degrees of five
English-speaking countries in
order to facilitate doctors of Indian
origin who would like to teach or
practice in India. Azad said that he
had also relaxed several require-
ments for building medical colleges
so that investors were encouraged
to enter this sector.
Narendra Modi, Chief Minister
of Gujarat, said that India’s devel-
opment model had to leverage its
strength in human resources.
Gujarat had achieved growth rates
that are significantly above the
national growth rate based on a
public-private partnership model
for skill development.
He took the example of
the Indian Institute of
Management in
Ahmedabad which
had become famous
globally, although it was not asso-
ciated with any university.
The Gujarat government is build-
ing other institutions on similar
lines such as an Indian Institute of
Public Health and an Indian Insti-
tute of Teacher’s Education, Modi
said. He added that Gujarat was the
only state to attract investments
worth billions of dollars during the
worst phase of the global economic
recession, during the Vibrant
Gujarat Summit 2009.
Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister
of Maharashtra, said that his state
had remained the most
favoured destination
for investments.
Maharashtra has the
most industry friend-
ly policies, excellent
infrastructure and a large skill
base. He said that he would give
priority to investments in back-
ward areas, as regional imbalances
were leading to social and political
problems. Also, infrastructure was
getting stretched in the Mumbai
and Pune regions, where investors
have tended to concentrate.
Chavan said that the development
of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial
Corridor would create significant
opportunities for investment.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief
Minister of Madhya Pradesh,
invited overseas Indi-
ans to visit his state,
whether for invest-
ment or for tourism.
He announced the for-
mation of a special
NRI cell under his direct supervi-
sion, in order to resolve NRI-relat-
ed issues and grievances. He invit-
ed suggestions and views for the
development of roads, especially in
the Bhopal-Indore industrial corri-
dor and an integrated township for
Non-Resident Indians.
In the tourism sector, Chouhan
invited views for development of
large water bodies in Madhya
Pradesh as tourist destinations.
The NRI delegates were willing to
invest in the entertainment, sports,
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
education and energy sectors. Sug-
gestions were also made in order to
explore the unique combination of
forest and mineral resources which
are distinct to the state.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy
Chief Minister of Punjab, in his
address to the delegates
at the State Session of
PBD 2010, emphasised
the government’s ini-
tiatives for Overseas
Indians, especially in
matters related to dispute settle-
ment. Badal summarized the
progress of the promises his gov-
ernment made during the Pravasi
Punjabi Sammelan, organised last
year, to have fast-track courts and
world class infrastructure.
Badal urged the Punjabi diaspora
to consider investments and joint
ventures in power sector, infras-
tructure, housing-townships, hotels
and tourism, hospitals, schools and
colleges and private universities.
Talking about the new initiatives,
Badal pointed out that the Punjab
government will be establishing
the Punjab Governance Reforms
Commission, which will ensure
greater benefits for the Punjabi
Overseas Indians. “Year 2010 will
be observed as the year of gover-
nance reforms,” he said.
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister
of Jammu & Kashmir, said that
his state was unable to
compete with many of
the larger Indian
states in attracting
investments due to
certain negative per-
ceptions about his state. Jammu &
Kashmir was perceived as a dan-
gerous state due to the prevalence
of terrorism. However, violence in
other forms existed in many other
states and indeed, in other coun-
tries as well.
He emphasized the need to devel-
op employable skills of the local
population so that they could find
jobs. He invited investment in
areas such as education and medi-
cal tourism and assured that clear-
ances will not take more than 15
days.
There was further elaboration on
opportunities for investment in
separate sessions with the respec-
tive state governments.
27
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010

All the speakers at

Concurrent
Session I were
upbeat about the
Indian economy
and its growth
prospects in the
years to come.
They were also in
agreement that
closer cooperation
between India and
her diaspora can
give a further

The
boost to the India
growth story

Magical growth story had been character-

he topic of Concurrent Ses-
Highlighting the importance of the
ized by long plateaus of growth
rates at 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent,
the growth story post 1991 has been
fantastic.
Lord Desai said that India would
grow despite the constraints of
of funds from its diaspora.” Empha-
sising the role that Indian banks
were playing in Indian industry’s
global forays, Chaudhuri said that
Indian banks had been at the fore-
(From left): Vijay Iyengar,
Chairman, Singapore India
Chamber of Commerce & Industry;
Lord Karan F. Bilimoria, CBE,
Chelsea; Anil Kumar Bachoo,
Minister for Public Infrastructure,
man, Singapore India Chamber
of Commerce & Industry, high-
lighted the significance of the Indi-
an diaspora and said: “The Indian
diaspora helps integrate India into
front of providing financial services Local Transport and Shipping, the global economy. They provide
to India Inc when they made over- Mauritius; Lord Meghnad Desai, the much-needed linkages and net-

T sion I was “Returning to 9

percent Growth: Diaspora
Connect”. Anil Bachoo,
Minister for Public Infrastruc-
ture, Local Transport and Ship-
ping, Government of Mauritius,
said: “Cooperation between India
and her diaspora can boost growth
not only in India, but for countries
of their settlement as well,” Bachoo
said, and urged the Indian diaspora
to be attentive to science, increase
spending on it and encourage inno-
vation in areas such as nano
technology.
Indian diaspora, he added: “The
Indian diaspora is an intangible
asset that keeps the image of a
vibrant India alive and provides a
reliable market, a steady flow of
remittances and tourism exchange”.
The Mauritian minister further
pointed out that of the $81 billion
FDI made in India since April 2000,
$35.18 billion had been routed
through Mauritius, making it the
main contributor of FDI to India.
Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor
Emeritus, London School of Eco-
nomics, said that while India’s
infrastructure and other such con-
straints. India’s proportion of
poverty has come down as the
growth has helped reduce poverty.
The key to growth is the transfor-
mation of India’s rural sector, he
pointed out.
Highlighting that India had
received $54 billion from its dias-
pora in the last one year, Pratip
Chaudhuri, Deputy Managing
Director & Group Executive
(International Banking), State
Bank of India, said: “India has
become the number one recipient
seas acquisitions.
Brian Hayes, National Chair-
man, Australia India Business
Council, said: “Australia needs to
continue and strengthen its engage-
ment with India through research,
professional links and cooperation
and needs more than ever now to
understand and work together with
India”. This is where the Indian
diaspora has not only a role to play,
but one which is essential in main-
taining strong links, he added.
Pointing out that India was by far
the most complex and diverse coun-
Professor Emeritus, London School
of Economics; and Chandrajit
Banerjee, Director General,
Confederation of Indian Industry,
at Concurrent Session I of PBD 2010
on January 9.
try in the world, Lord Karan Bil-
imoria, CBE, Chelsea, urged the
Indian diaspora to contribute to
India’s growth. “India has made us,
we must make India” he said.
Highlighting the future of India,
Lord Bilimoria added: “You are
lucky to be born Indian as India is
the future.” Vijay Iyenger, Chair-
work for India to develop its econo-
my.” Iyenger also suggested some
areas of collaboration for the Indi-
an diaspora to include Technical
Education and Infrastructure
Development.
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director
General, Confederation of Indi-
an Industry, said that the Indian
economy is upbeat, and the funda-
mentals are very strong. This is
what is helping the economy grow.
It is important to understand how
to connect to the world, especially
to the diaspora, Banerjee said.

28 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 29

 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
(From left): Ms Ruby Dhalla, Member of Parliament, Canada; Raj Loomba, Executive Chairman, Rinku Group Ltd,
UK; Maurits Safdar Hassankhan, Minister for Interior, Suriname, and Jaipal Reddy, Minister for Urban Development,
at Concurrent Session III during PBD 2010 at New Delhi on January 9, 2010.
Diaspora philanthropy
The India Development Foundation will help resolve problems faced by
overseas Indians in channelling their contributions without difficulty
verseas Indians have been
O facing problems as the
Foreign Contribution Reg-
ulation Act has proved a
stumbling block and a deterrent to
their efforts towards contributing to
the development of India.
The India Development Founda-
tion (IDF) for overseas Indians is a
mechanism put in place to resolve
problems they faced. And the Min-
istry of Overseas Indian Affairs will
be more than willing to address fur-
ther irritants, said Jaipal Reddy,
Minister for Urban Development,
at a session titled “Thousands of
Fireflies: Diaspora Philanthropy” at
PBD-2010.
Having met diaspora based in sev-
eral countries, Reddy said he was
aware that a majority were very
eager to contribute to India’s devel-
opment, but the question was how
to chanelise the resources, be it
funds, management or professional
skills or any other. An institution-
al mechanism was the need to tap
this, and IDF was the single window
platform to enable this.
Maurits Safdar Hassankhan,
Minister for Interior, Suriname,
presented the perspective of philan-
thropy from the point of view of a
descendant of indented labourers.
He said that having belonged to the
lower strata of society both in the
country of origin, India, and in the
host country, they had always taken
care of the community. The general
perception of the diaspora was that
30 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
of their being prosper-
ous, but this was not
always the case and
there were instances of
their being marginal-
ized. He added that many would still
like to do something for their ances-
tral villages, but needed organisa-
tions in different countries to help
the middle classes who wanted to
contribute in different ways.
Ms Ruby Dhalla, Member of Par-
liament, Canada, spoke of India’s
and the diaspora’s achievements in
the last 63 years. An
Indian figured among
the world’s richest
persons, India had the
world’s cheapest car,
Punjabi was Canada’s
4th most spoken language and it
was the people who had made this
possible, she said. It was the time to
give back — not only in funds, but
through knowledge transfer and
reaching out to 300 million children
in need of education, schools and
healthcare. “We have to work dollar
by dollar, rupee by rupee and invest
in India’s future, if we are to be
proud of our roots,” she said.
Mani Lal Bhaumik, Physicist,
Northrop Corporation Research
and Technology Centre, USA,
spoke about his work in supporting
poor children acquire higher edu-
cation. A hundred such youngsters
have been helped annually since the
past 15 years. His further plans
included setting up an IT Universi-
ty in Kolkata, but he
had been bogged down
due to the registration
process and inability
to get possession of
land since the past two
years. However, despite the prob-
lems, he said that without “giving
back part of what you have, you
cannot be truly fulfilled.”
Rajinder Paul Loomba, Executive
Chairman, Rinku Group Ltd, UK,
spoke about the Loomba
Trust which focuses on
helping educate chil-
dren of widows. In
India, 3,000 such chil-
dren are being support-
ed. Similar efforts are on in seven
other countries. Inspired by his
mother who was widowed at a
young age, Loomba has been pro-
viding succour to thousands of wid-
ows in India living on the edge of
society. He said the setting up of IDF
will raise the level of engagement of
the Indian diaspora.
Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Publisher,
India Advocate, US, said Indians
have always shared
with the lesser fortu-
nate. The Indian dias-
pora may have tried to
give back, but needed
more structured chan-
nels. Institutional charity is
attracting the middle class while
engaging the next generation. He
said that the setting up of IDF was
an excellent step.
CHANGE AGENTS
Participants discussed how women from the Diaspora could play a role
in improving the lives of their Indian counterparts
Participants at Concurrent IV during PBD 2010 in New Delhi on January 9.
he Indian women diaspora
T can play the role of crucial
“Change Agents” in help-
ing Indian women
progress, said Ms Krishna Tirath,
Minister of State for Women &
Child Development. “We must
join hands to make the world a bet-
ter place,” she said. The Minister
was speaking at a Concurrent Ses-
sion titled “Diaspora Women in
Cross-Cultural Environments” dur-
ing the 8th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.
The Indian economy, apart from
growing at the second fastest pace
in the world, has also seen com-
mendable improvement in the qual-
ity of life of its citizens and empow-
erment of its women, she said.]
Examples like Kalpana Chawla
and Sunita Williams prove that
Indian women have earned top
spots in the overall global land-
scape. However, in spite of this suc-
cess, much remains to be done, Ms
Tirath said. Generating awareness
among women, promoting gender
cells, advisory groups, overseas
Indian centres and helplines are
some of the critical areas, where the
diaspora can play a facilitative role,
the Minister said.
Underscoring key areas of inter-
vention, Ms Preneet Kaur, Min-
ister of State for External
Affairs, pointed out that invest-
ment in Indian youth, support for
women’s education, establishment
of a united women’s group and
periodical convening of all women
commissions, are some of the key
Examples like
Kalpana Chawla
and Sunita Williams
prove that Indian
women have earned
top spots in the
overall global
landscape
areas where the Indian women
diaspora can engage on an option-
al basis. The Minister called for
enhancing interconnections among
women of Indian origin across the
world. She suggested the formation
of an advisory panel of Indian as
well as diaspora women in order to
reach out to the ground level in a
more effective way.
Ms Kaur laid special emphasis on
education and literacy for all
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 31
women. “Knowledge is an impor-
tant tool of women empowerment”,
she said. Women entrepreneurship
should be nurtured and in this
regard successful
entrepreneurs across the world
should guide budding women
women
entrepreneurs. It is important that
women’s participation in decision
making is encouraged, she said.
Ms Ela Gandhi, Chancellor,
Durban University of Technolo-
gy, South Africa, suggested vari-
ous measures to ensure better lives
for women. Short term measures
include having a 24-hour helpline
for women, counselling services
through phones and information
regarding access to these services,
she said. Long-term measures
include gender awareness pro-
grams, better legal structure and
enforcement of laws that protects
women. “All this and more is pos-
sible, if women unite not just with-
in the diaspora, but also throughout
the world,” she said.
Promotion of education and litera-
cy, unity among all women and bet-
ter engagement of women in politics
are three critical areas which can go
a long way towards women’s empow-
erment, said Baroness Sandip
Verma, Shadow Minister for Edu-
cation & Opposition Whip in the
House of Lords, United Kingdom.
“We have to be the catalyst for
change for ourselves,” she said.
Ms Girija Vyas, Chairperson,
National Commission for
Women, who moderated the ses-
sion, highlighted the need for inter-
national laws that will give unifor-
mity in terms of legal rights to
women and help them in greater
access to the legal system anywhere
in the world. Awakening of the civil
society and better engagement with
media and NGOs are some of the
other areas where work needs to be
done, she said.
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
The Gulf session
emerged as a platform
for addressing and
discussing the
concerns and issues
related to the
approximately five
million Indians
residing in the
Gulf region
Bridges to the Gulf
he eighth edition of the
T Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
emerged as a platform for
addressing and discussing
the concerns and issues related to
approximately five million Indians
residing in the Gulf region.
Extending a warm welcome to the
Indian diaspora at the session titled
“Indians and the Gulf”, E Ahmed,
Minister of State for Railways,
said that Gulf countries cannot be
ignored as we share a lot with this
region of the world both in social
and economic terms. The Gulf has
been a major investor in India, he
said. “We will do whatever possible
for the sake of our people living in
these countries,” Ahmed said.
Shashi Tharoor, Minister of
State for External Affairs, speak-
ing during the session, said: “The
Gulf region is part of our extended
neighbourhood; it is home to about
32 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
4.5 million Indians and is the source
of some $22 billion in remittances
and 70 percent of our energy
imports. It is an area of special focus
for India’s foreign policy”.
On voting rights to overseas Indi-
ans, he said that a bill is going to be
proposed in parliament, adding that
the beneficiaries should be able to
vote from their countries of work
instead of having to come to India,
especially to vote. Tharoor said that
India has invested its capital and
labour in the Gulf and is sharing its
strengths in IT, education, health
and other sectors with it.
Yusuff Ali MA from UAE rec-
ommended the government of India
should consider creating a Special
Economic Zone, especially for
investments from the Indian dias-
pora in the Gulf. He suggested that
the Indian government hold the next
edition of mini-PBD — the smaller
version of PBD that is held abroad
every year — in the Gulf.
Chairman and managing direc-
tor of Qatar's Behzad Group of
Companies C.K. Menon said that
Gulf nations were sitting on huge
investible funds and were looking to
put this money in emerging
economies.
Managing director of Oman's
Galfar Engineering and Contract-
ing Mohamed Ali talked about the
need to have a system from the Indi-
an end that will require every work-
er going to Gulf to report to the Indi-
an missions there.
Managing Director of UAE’s
ETA Ascon & Star Group Syed M.
Salahuddin sought the govern-
ment’s help in setting up better
schools for Indian students in the
Gulf. He spoke of the need to have
schools that charge low fees and
impart good education.
(From left) Ravi Pillai, Yusuff Ali, Vayalar Ravi, Shashi Tharoor, Syed M
Salahuddin, and C.K. Menon at Concurrent Session V titled "Indians & the
Gulf" at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi on January 9, 2010.
‘Gulf will remain a dream
destination for Indians’
T
he Gulf will remain a
M.A. Yusuff Ali
“dream destination” for
Indians and there is no seri-
ous impact of the global econom-
ic slowdown in the Middle East,
save for some problems in the construction industry in
Dubai, well-known NRI businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali
said. “Oil is a major income source in the Middle East.
The oil sector is very strong there as prices of oil are
improving,” said Ali, managing director of the Emke
Group that employs 22,000 people in the Gulf countries,
Hong Kong and mainland China, Indonesia, Kenya,
Tanzania and Thailand.
“If something happens to the oil sector, only then it
would be true to say that there’s a financial crisis in
Gulf countries,” Ali, who attended the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas-2010, told IANS in an interview in New
Delhi. The Emke Group, which has primary interest in
merchandise trade, operates popular brands of retail
stores, including the “Lulu” chain of supermarkets,
hypermarkets, departmental stores and shopping malls.
Over 16,000 of its employees are Indians. According to
Ali, who is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Glob-
al Advisory Council, some companies in Europe with
their “opportunistic mindsets” had sought to create
panic that the Middle East was hit hard by the global
economic meltdown.
“Some companies operating from Europe and the US
sacked many employees in the name of recession. They
did so as they wanted to re-recruit employees cheap,”
said Ali, while admitting that there was some crisis in
the construction sector in Dubai. “But Gulf is and will
remain a dream destination for Indians,” he said.
According to Ali, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh gave a patient hearing to the problems faced by
Indian workers in Gulf countries during the meeting
of the advisory council. “I am happy the prime minis-
ter agreed and has announced a welfare fund for Indi-
ans in distress,” said the Abu Dhabi-based industrial-
ist, who has been conferred the Padma Shri and Pravasi
Bharatiya Samman.
He said his counterparts in the Gulf were keen to
invest in India and said a suggestion has been made
to alow them to pick up stakes in state-run enter-
prises as and when the government goes for
divestment. — T.G. Biju
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 33
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
The $500m
OPPORTUNITY
President Patil seeks
the Diaspora’s
participation in
India’s growth story
resident Pratibha Patil pre-
P sented the $500 million
opportunity in India’s
infrastructure development
in the next five years in a public-
private Partnership (PPP) mode to
over 1,500 overseas Indians from
over 50 countries attending the
Valedictory Session of the Eighth
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in
New Delhi on January 9, 2010. The
focus of this year’s PBD was invest-
ment, knowledge, philanthropy
and skills.
Seeking solutions to promote
development that is just, humane
and inclusive, Patil said: “In the
social infrastructure sector, as also
for physical infrastructure devel-
opment, India is looking at invest-
ment increasingly in the public-pri-
vate partnership model. We are
focusing on improving the quality
and quantity of education at all lev-
els of the education pyramid. The
expenditure on healthcare infras-
tructure in the country is projected
to grow at 5.8 per cent annually.
This presents an unprecedented
opportunity, including for our over-
seas community to participate and
benefit in India’s unfolding
growth story”.
“There is immense capacity that
you have both in talent and in
financial terms, that can be invest-
ed in India. We hope to see your
greater participation in the coming
years in the development of India.
This is a time to forge strong part-
nerships. I have no doubt that
together we can walk the path of
progress and make India a strong
34 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
In the social infrastructure sector, as also
for physical infrastructure development,
India is looking at investment increasingly
in the public-private partnership model
nation” she added. Urging the dele-
gates to play a responsible role of a
global citizen, President Patil said:
“As we turn the corner of the first
decade of the 21st century, it is
becoming more and more evident
that we live in an increasingly
inter-connected world. With your
calibre, creativity and enterprise,
you will continue to contribute to
the advancement of human civili-
sation. In this century, human soci-
ety faces the daunting yet inspiring
task of forging ‘sustainability’, in
all its activities, so that while meet-
ing current human needs, the
requirements of future generations
are also safeguarded”.
In the post-crisis
world, India is
increasingly
perceived as one of
the principal engines
of growth, and a safe
destination for
investment
Elaborating on the Indian growth
story as an absorbing, exciting and
a continuing one, she added: “In the
post-crisis world, India is increas-
ingly perceived as one of the prin-
cipal engines of growth, a safe des-
tination for investment and an
emerging educational and
technological hub”.
Acknowledging the over $50 bil-
lion remittances from overseas
President Pratibha Indians, she saluted Indian work-
Patil delivering ers in the Gulf, consisting of tem-
the valedictory porary contractual, skilled and
address at the 8th
Pravasi Bharatiya
semi-skilled workers, who often
Divas-2010, in New face harsh living and working con-
Delhi on January ditions. “Overseas Indians have
9, 2010. come to be recognised as the
‘Knowledge Diaspora’. The knowl-
edge, expertise, skills and
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
resources of this vast and diverse
Indian community can be an
important input in India’s march to
becoming a developed country,”
she added.
The president also conferred the
prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Sam-
man Awards on 14 distinguished
overseas Indians from different
walks of life, who have made sig-
nificant contributions for the wel-
fare of diaspora; notable contribu-
tion in philanthropic and charitable
work and for social and humani-
tarian causes in India & abroad and
support to India’s causes and con-
cerns in a tangible way. Seven
awardees were from the field of
community service, three from pub-
lic service, three from medicine and
one from business.
In the acceptance speech on
behalf of the awardees, Pravin
Jamnadas Gordhan, Finance Min-
ister of South Africa, expressed his
gratitude to the government of
India and maintained that the Indi-
an diaspora would continue to
work for the welfare and develop-
ment of our own and other com-
munities. “India is playing a strong
role in raising the voice of poor
countries,” he said.
In his address, Vayalar Ravi,
Minister for Overseas Indian
Affairs, stressed that PBD was a sig-
nal of paradigm shift in the engage-
ment & reaching out to the vast
majority of Overseas Indians. “This
year the focus has been on devel-
oping an innovative platform for
the benefit of the Overseas Indians”
he added. The Minister assured that
his ministry will present the action
taken report on the suggestions &
recommendations made during this
year’s PBD.
Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary,
Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs, welcomed the participants
and Venu Srinivasan, President,
Confederation of Indian Industry,
delivered the vote of thanks.
35
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010
PBD AWARDEES FETED
resident Pratibha Patil on
P January 9, 2010 conferred
the prestigious Pravasi
Bharatiya Samman award
to 14 distinguished members of the
Indian diaspora for their achieve-
ments in life and contribution to
the welfare of the Indian communi-
ty and enhancing India’s image
overseas.
The awards were presented at the
valedictory function of the con-
cluding day of the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas 2010 in New Delhi.
Following are the brief profiles
of this year’s award recipients:
v Mohinder Singh Bhullar, a suc-
cessful businessman in Brunei
36 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
Darussalam, is instrumental in
the formation of the Indian
Chamber of Commerce in Brunei
Darussalam. He has assisted the
Indian community in that South-
east Asian nation and has acted
as a bridge between India and
Brunei Darussalam.
v Yanktesh Piramal Reddy, an
Indian origin businessman in
Fiji, has promoted tourism to
India in a big way from the entire
south Pacific region. He has also
worked relentlessly for the pro-
tection of the interests of the Indi-
an community in Fiji.
v Ryuko Hira, a successful Indian
entrepreneur in Japan, is the
director of the prestigious Japan-
India Association. A leading phi-
lanthropist, he has supported sev-
eral projects for the underprivi-
leged in India. He has also spon-
sored and supported the transla-
tion and publication of the
Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishads
and books on Hinduism,
Busshism and Sikhism into
Japanese.
v Dr. Ruby Umesh Pawankar has
focused on the furtherance of
India-Japan medical collabora-
tion for a number of years. Recog-
nised in Japan and worldwide for
her outstanding contributions to
science, she is the first Indian
President Pratibha Patil with the
awardees of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
– 2010, at the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas-2010, in New Delhi on January 9,
2010. Minister for Overseas Indian
Affairs Vayalar Ravi is also seen.
and first woman to be nominated
as president of World Allergy
Organisation.
v Suresh Kumar Virmani, a suc-
cessful engineer, entrepreneur
and businessman, is a founder
member of the Indian Cultural
Association in Oman. He has
worked relentlessly for the wel-
fare of the expatriate Indian com-
munity in Oman and has helped
establish a number of Indian
schools in Oman.
v Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan,
finance minister of South Africa,
has distinguished himself as
commissioner of the South
African Revenue Service. He was
a political activist who took
active part in the anti-apartheid
movement of that country, organ-
ising and leading student move-
ments.
v Tholisah Perumal Naidoo is a
publisher, journalist and founder
of the Indian Academy of South
Africa in Durban. He has been
promoting Indian culture in
South Africa for the past 25 years
organising regular events like the
Tyagaraja Music Festival and
Festival of India and introducing
the Nataraja Golden Peacock
Award for Indian classical dances
there.
v Rajni Kanabar is a philan-
thropist who initiated the Tanza-
nia Heart Babies project wherein
Tanzanian children suffering
from congenital heart defects are
sent to India for open heart surg-
eries.
Over 1,300 surgeries were per-
formed in the last 27 years with
the support of the Indian High
Commission in Tanzania, Air
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
India and Narayana Hrudayalaya
in Bangalore.
v Deepak Mittal, an industrialist
and financial expert, has suc-
cessfully set up and operated
many large state-of-the-art Indian
joint ventures in Thailand. His
efforts led to expanded trade
between India and Thailand. He
has also been involved in charity
and social activities for the wel-
fare of people in Thailand includ-
ing the Indian community.
v Lenny Krishendath Saith is
minister in the Prime Minister’s
Office in Trinidad & Tobago. A
strong advocate of bilateral ties
between India and Trinidad &
Tobago, he has consistently pro-
moted the cause of the Indian
diaspora in that Caribbean
nation.
v Dr. Azad Moopen is a physician
turned entrepreneur who man-
ages one of the largest healthcare
networks in the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) countries. His
group conducts free health camps
for Indian labourers in remote
locations in the GCC countries.
He has also worked for the wel-
fare of the Indian community in
the United Arab Emirates.
v Mani Lal Bhaumik is a scien-
tist, author, educator and philan-
thropist whose books and lec-
tures at prestigious institutions
has significantly contributed
towards a better understanding
of the cultural and spiritual her-
itage of India. He sponsors an
annual award for Indian children
in California who excel in science
and mathematics and has worked
for the welfare of the Indian com-
munity in the US.
v Ashok Kumar Mago has worked
actively for the promotion of
Indo-US political and economic
ties through his association with
a variety of boards and commis-
sions in the past. He is chairman
of the Indo-American Political
Forum in Dallas, which seeks to
educate youngsters to participate
in the political process.
v Dr. Sudhir Parikh is Publisher,
India Advocate, and is a philan-
thropist and physician based in
the United States.
37
 COVER STORY
PBD 2010

VIGNETTES FROM THE PBD CULTURAL SCENE Glimpses from a cultural programme
Through the three days of PBD 2010, the diaspora delegates were organised by the Government of NCT of Delhi
at the residence of Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila
treated to India’s aesthetic diversity through a host of musical and Dikshit in New Delhi on January 8, 2010.
dance performances. Overseas Indians also got to witness Maya
Ravan, a dance drama in English by noted actor and dancer
Shobhana. All of these made the PBD experience a truly
fascinating and lively one...

Scenes from a cultural programme

organised by the Indian Council for
Cultural Relations during PBD-2010
in New Delhi on January 7.

38 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 39

 COVER STORY
PBD 2010

MORE VIGNETTES...

The
Market
Place
Various pavilions
showcased the
huge and growing
potential of the
Indian states to
connect with
the diaspora
worldwide
and attract
investments...

Scenes from Maya

Ravan, a two-hour
long dance drama in
English, rendered by
noted film actor and
dancer Shobhana, at
the Taj Palace Hotel,
on the concluding day
of PBD-2010 in New
Delhi on January 9.

40 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 41

 BOOKS
HISTORY REVISITED

Beyond Friendship... History from TOP 10 BESTSELLERS

Shrabani Basu writes about the ‘friendship’ between Queen Victoria and
the ringside... Fiction
...in India in February

munshi Abdul Karim which blossomed into an intense relationship “The Museum of Innocence”
n 1924, when Mahatma Gandhi

I
Author: Orhan Pamuk
asked young Chithira Tirunal, the Publisher: Faber and Faber
Abdul is a little-known 12-year-old prince of the erstwhile Price: Rs.599
Abdul Karim princely state of Travancore in Ker-
character from history — almost ala, if he would remove untouchability “The Girl Who Kicked The
like a footnote. I had heard of him, and throw open the temples to all Hornets’ Nest”
castes when he became king, the boy Author: Stieg Larsson
but I did not know how important he answered, “Of course”. And he lived Publisher: Quercus
was. So, I decided to go back in up to his word. Price: Rs.495
The former princely state of Tra-
history... —Shrabani Basu vancore in Kerala, a staunch Hindu “The Palace of Illusions”
friend, mother and closest confidant his home town Agra as a waiter on bastion, has always stood apart from Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
— all three-in-one,” London-based the royal table. the rest of 19th century royal India Publisher: Picador India
author Shrabani Basu said. But he rose through the ranks to co r e: T he for its progressive ideas and non- Price: Rs.395
Her new book, Victoria and become the queen’s personal cook, “Travan estiny”, alignment which were way ahead of
ts of D
Abdul: The True Story of the then her munshi and then the deco- Footprin : Uthradom its time. “Return To Almora”
graphy Varma, Author: R.K. Pachauri
Queen’s Closest Confidante, is a non- rated Indian secretary. Autobio rthanda
Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda
fictional account of the intense His rise ruffled feathers in the n al M a ld to Varma, 88, the last ruler of Tra- Publisher: Rupa
Tiru (as to
er king Price: Rs.395
friendship between Britain’s Queen royal household. The queen’s ‘dear the form wari); Publish- vancore, gives many glimpses of
a h es shers; life as it was then in the first-ever
Victoria and her Indian munshi. Abdul’ letters — which she wrote Uma M na rk Publi
The book, which was brought out everyday — were burnt by Victoria’s e r : K o s.2,000 autobiography of a former ruler “Breaking Dawn”
Price: R Author: Stephenie Meyer
by Rupa in India, was released in children after her death. from the erstwhile princely state, in
he attachment between a New Delhi on January 10. The queen was so fond of Abdul Travancore: The Footprints of Destiny. Publisher: Atom

T British empress and her

young and handsome mun-
shi, or instructor, from
India is the subject that cross-cul-
tural dreams are made of — at a time
“Abdul is a little-known character
from history — almost like a foot-
note. I had heard of him, but I did
not know how important he was. I
decided to go back in history to
that she wanted to make him a
knight, the writer said. “But she had
to back down bowing to pressure by
Lord Salisbury and made him a
member of the Victoria order Com-
The autobiography, which chronicles all the major
events in India and in Kerala since the birth of the sur-
viving former ‘Rajah’ throws rare insights into Ker-
ala’s engagement with the rest of the country — and the
20th century world at large — during the British Raj and
Non-fiction
Price: Rs.550

“Victoria and Abdul: A True Story Of The Queen’s

when English society was synony-
mous with a stiff upper lip and strin-
gent morality.
“But munshi Abdul Karim, the
young novice from Agra, and the
British empress Victoria shared a
relationship that went beyond the
physical everyday world. She was a
Nelson Mandela: A Life in Photographs
NEW RELEASES
know the kind of relationship he
shared with the queen for a
decade,” Basu said.
Abdul had been a gift from India to
the queen to celebrate her golden
jubilee in 1887. “Strikingly dressed
in a scarlet tunic and an Indian tur-
ban”, the 24-year-old arrived from
Love Stands Alone: Selections from Tamil Sangam Poetry
Closest Confidant”
mander of the Indian Empire” post-Independence. It is also a testimony to Kerala’s
Author: Shrabani Basu
The idea of writing about Abdul, as rich cultural heritage through detailed descriptions of
Publisher: Rupa
Basu says in the introduction to her the state’s festivals, palace rites, religion and life inside
Price: Rs.395
book, “came to her as she gazed at a the portals of the ornate palace.
portrait of young Abdul holding a The book, dictated by the 88-year-old former king to
“Committed: A Sceptic Makes Peace
book, painted by Rudolf Swaboba Kerala-based journalist-writer Uma Maheswari, was
with Marriage”
that hangs in the Indian corridor of released by the former President of India A.P.J Abdul
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Osborne House”. Kalam on January 5.
Publisher: Blooms Bury
Price: Rs.499
Mission Moon: Exploring the Moon with Chandrayaan I “Biryani”

By David Elliot Cohen
A celebration of freedom
and the man who fought
so valiantly for it: NELSON
MANDELA.
Almost 20 years ago, Nel-
son Rolihlahla Mandela —
brutally imprisoned in South
Africa for his struggle against
apartheid — was finally
released. This beautiful illus-
trated volume commemorates that event and
Mandela’s inspiring life and work.contains many
images that have rarely, if ever, been seen.
Translated By M.L. Thangappa
C omposed at the turn of the Common Era, the
ancient poems translated from classical Tamil in
Love Stands Alone are breathtaking in their direct-
ness, subtle in their nuances and astonishingly con-
temporary in tone.
The poems fall under two broad themes: akam, the
interior and puram, the exterior. The akam poems
are concerned with love in all its varied situations:
clandestine and illicit; conjugal happiness and infidelity; separa-
tion and union. The puram poems encompass all other aspects
of worldly life. They talk of wars and battlefields, the valour of
warriors, the munificence of kings and chieftains, and the wisdom
of bards.
By S.K. Das Author: Pratibha Karan
I Man has gazed at the Moon, wondered about
it and studied it for centuries. Yet, many
aspects about Earth’s satellite remain
Publisher: Random House India
Price: Rs.795
unknown, and With an can keep scientists busy “The Laws Of The Spirit World”
for years. In this book, S.K. Das sets out to Author: Khorshed Bhavnagri
explain some of them. Publisher: Jaico
Mission Moon is filled with lively descriptions Price: Rs.199
of many little known facts and myths about the
Moon. “The French and Delhi: Agra, Aligarh
It also includes details of the Chandrayaan-I project, including and Sardhana”
the recent, exciting discovery of water made on the Moon. Author: Jean-Marie and Rehana Lafont
Accompanied by photos from Chandrayaan’s cameras, this book Publisher: India Research Press
is for all young space enthusiasts and avid star gazers. Price: Rs.2995

42 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 43

 TRAVEL
Surreal Bugyal
Blessed with spectacular beauty, Auli, a skiers’
paradise, welcomes into its phantasms those inclined
to having fun, adventure and lots more...
merging as one of the
E
most exotic hill resorts in
the country, Auli is a ski
village — a home to
adventure and fun. The white blan-
ket of snow, its serene beauty, and
the panoramic view of the
Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi,
Kamet, Mana, Parvat and Duna-
giri... it is ethereal. And, the dense
forests of deodar and oak trees add
to the beauty of this heavenly
resort. Auli was never as popular
as it is today until Uttarakhand
was formed after being separated
from Uttar Pradesh.
Often called the Switzerland of the
East, Auli, nestles at an altitude of
3049 mt in the Garhwal Himalayan
mountain ranges, Chamoli district,
in Uttarakhand. It is also known as
‘Bugyal’ meaning ‘the meadow’ in
the regional language. A perfect
weather and its slopes, at a height of
9000 feet above sea level, is just a
right combination and make it an
excellent skiing spot.
Today, Auli is regarded as one of
the most prominent skiing destina-
tions in the country. Experts from
44 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
44 Pravasi Bharatiya īJuly 2009
countries like France and Australia
even remark that slopes of Auli (sec-
ond largest in Asia) is no less than
any other world’s best slopes.
Auli plays host to a number of
International as well as National
level skiing championships, festi-
vals and tournaments. Apart from
skiing, trekking is another exciting
thing to do in Auli. Other exciting
games common here are snow
boarding and sledging.
GMVNL conducts certificate and
non-certificate courses ranging from
4 days to 14 days in Auli. The Garhw-
al Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited
(GMVNL) is a government agency
which takes care of the resort.
Auli also boasts the highest and
the longest ropeway in Asia: a 3.9
km ropeway which connects it to
Joshimath. It takes 22 mins (approx.)
to cover a distance of 4.15 km.
The Artificial lake, near Clifftop
Club Hotel is another attraction
here. It is world’s highest man-made
lake. It was developed to create arti-
ficial snow on the new ski slopes dur-
ing events when there are low snow
fall. The water from this lake is used
to create artificial snow, so it helps
extend the ski season.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
The Valley of Flowers: An
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Val-
ley of Flowers is the treasure of
flowers. Colourful wild flowers
spreading beyond the horizons, the
spectacular and peaceful surround-
ings, streams with clear water — it
is fairy land.
It is around 27 Km by road from
Joshimath and another 17 Km you
have cross by trekking. It was
declared a national park in 1982 and
covers an area of 87.50 sq km with
500 species of wild flowers. The val-
How to reach
Air: The nearest airport is Jolly
Grant which is 17 km from
Dehradun. There are few flights
(Indian Airlines and Kingfisher)
from New Delhi and Chandigarh.
From Dehradun you can reach
Auli by road.
Rail: The nearest railway is
Haridwar which is well connected
to rest of India. From Delhi, it is
connected by Shatabdi Express,
from Bombay by Bandra-
Dehradun Express and from
Calcutta by Howrah-Doon
Express and from Lucknow by
Gorakhanath/Doon Express.
Road: For a visit to Auli, you
can take the route from Delhi to
Haridwar which is 199 km on
NH-47. From Haridwar to Joshi-
math is 277 km and it will take
around 10 hours. From Joshimath
it is around 18 km by road and
4 km/20 minutes by cable car
which is the largest ropeway in
Asia. It would cost you Rs. 500
per person for a round trip.
Ideal time to visit: Except mon-
soon you can visit Auli throughout
the year. But for skiing, January to
March is the best time.
(Clockwise from top) 1. Sri Badrinath temple, which is nearly 46 km from
Joshimath. 2. The road from Joshimath to Auli, a distance of around 18 km.
3. The Joshimath-Auli Ropeway, the longest and highest ropeway in Asia.
4. The Valley of Flowers which was declared a national park in 1982
ley is home to varieties of fauna as Dham) of India. The other three
well. Trekking towards the Valley of being Kedarnath, Gangotri and
Flowers is an amazing experience Yamunotri. It was established by Adi
where you can enjoy picturesque Shankara in the 9th century. Legend
valley and the breathtaking view of has it that Shankara discovered a
the snow-capped peaks. black stone image of Lord Badri-
narayan, which was craved out
Joshimath: Nearly 16 km from Auli Saligram stone.
is the famous hill station Joshi- Sri Badrinath temple is open only
math. Nestling at an altitude of 6,000 six months in a year as the climatic
ft it was here that Shankracharya condition in the region is extreme
founded one of the four piths in the during winters. The present temple
8th century AD. Therefore, it’s con- was built by the Kings of Garhwal.
sidered as a centre of pilgrimage. It It is approximately 50 ft. (15 m) tall
houses the Narasimha Temple, the and has a small cupola on top. Its
abode of Lord Narasimha. The tem- facade is built of stone and are
ple is about 1,200 years old and is brightly painted.
dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Hindus Badarinath is also famous for the
believe that Lord Badrinath (Lord Hot water springs of Taptkund on
Vishnu) resides in Joshimath dur- the banks of Alaknanda river. It
ing winters. would be interesting to know that
the temperature of the water in the
Badrinath: Cradled in the Garhwal Kund is 55oC which is far warmer
hills at the height of 3,133 m above than the normal temperature in the
sea level, Badrinath Dham is one of region which ranges from 9-10oC to
the four pilgrimage sites (Char sub-zero levels.
Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010 45
 DIASPORA
NEWSMAKERS

Sculpting Success
ndian-born sculptor

I
sive
Anish Kapoor,
famous for his mas-
installations
Making investment in India easier for overseas Indians.
around the world, has
joined the ranks of
Britain’s super-rich
artists and is now con-
sidering buying a £5
million country man-
sion.
Kapoor will be includ-
ed in The Sunday Times
Rich List when the 2010
edition comes out, join-
ing artists Damien Hirst and Lucian
Freud.
Hirst is worth about £235 million
and Freud £120 million.
Kapoor made profits of £17.2 million
in 2008, taking the fortune he has made
from his art to an estimated £40 mil-
lion and is now considering adding a
£5 million country house in the Berk-
shire to his list of assets. also owns a £2 million property in the
The 17th century, eight-bedroom house is owned Bahamas.
by the National Trust, which preserves places of Kapoor is currently engaged in the
historic importance or natural beauty, and situat- world’s largest commission, a £15 mil-
ed in the Berkshire Downs, a part of southern Eng- lion series of sculptures known as the
land known for its outstanding natural beauty. Tees Valley Giants, which will be put
Kapoor’s sculptures fetched £5.5 million last up across five towns in northeast Eng-
year, including a reflective stainless-steel globe, land.
which sold for £1.17 million. A source close to Kapoor told that despite his wealth
His assets include three London properties — a stu- he had not become ostentatious.
dio, a £2.7 million home in Chelsea with walls of glass,
stone and shimmering stainless steel, and a £4 million
“Both he and his studio have their feet very firmly
on the ground. The windows leak. It’s not pretentious
For details contact:
townhouse in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, central London. He in any way or form.”
Shefali Chaturvedi
Chief Executive Officer - OIFC &
Director, CII

Innovative Scholar 249-F, Sector 18, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV

ndo-Canadian Hargurdeep Saini was
I appointed vice president of the Uni-
versity of Toronto, Canada’s biggest
university. Prof. Saini, who is current-
ly the dean at the University of Water-
loo in Hamilton near here, will also be
the principal of the University of Toron-
to’s Mississauga campus.
An alumnus of Punjab Agricultural
University in Ludhiana, Saini joins
many Indian-origin educationists hold-
ing high positions in Canadian
universities.
46 Pravasi Bharatiya February 2010
Gurgaon - 122 015, Haryana, INDIA
Tel: +91-124-4014060-67 / 4014071
“I am delighted that Prof. Deep (Har-
gurdeep) Saini is joining us as vice pres-
ident and principal of the University of
Fax: +91-124-4014070
Website: www.oifc.in
Toronto (Mississauga),’’ university
president David Naylor said.
“A fine scholar and generous mentor,
Deep Saini has a very strong record of
innovative leadership at the Universite
de Montreal and more recently the Uni-
versity of Waterloo. “I am confident
that Prof. Saini will provide outstand-
ing leadership for our dynamic west
campus,’’ the statement said.
lR;eso t;rs
Ministry of Overseas Confederation of
Indian Affairs Indian Industry
 CONNECTING INDIA WITH ITS DIASPORA

GARGANTUAN DELIGHT

Vol 3 Issue 2 February 2010

PRAVASI BHARATIYA
PBD-2010
The annual event
becomes a more
engaging and
enriching
experience, with
the deliberations
holding out a
sharper promise
of delivery and
G
argantuan would probably be an understatement to describe this steel-concrete marvel. The 37,680 km of steel
wire used in the spectacular Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai, India’s first bridge constructed in open sea realisation
conditions, is equivalent to the circumference of the earth. The length of the eight-lane bridge is 4.7 km, about
63 times that of the Qutab Minar, and weighs 6.7 lakh tonnes — that’s equivalent to the weight of 50,000 African
elephants! It has two lanes dedicated for buses.
The sea link offers rush-hour motorists a new route between the island city and its western suburbs, reducing travel
time between the two points from the earlier 60-90 minutes to 6-8 minutes. The Mahim Causeway was, thus far, the only
route. During peak hours, around 7,000 to 8,000 cars can use the link per hour, and an automatic system identifies
vehicles going over the 50 kmph limit. According to engineers, cameras on the link can take swift 360-degree turns and
capture images of vehicles within 1.5 km, and keep watch on the movements of boats and ships as well. Two policemen
on bikes patrol the bridge to pull up errant drivers. The height of the main tower is 126 metres, equivalent to a 43-story
building. The bridge consumed 90,000 tonnes of cement, and rests on 135 pile caps, the largest being 55m in length and
55m in breadth — half the size of a football field. Conceived in the 1990s, it was completed on May 31, 2009 and
inaugurated at midnight on June 30 last year.
The sea link is a product of international cooperation. Engineers from China, Egypt, Canada, Switzerland, Britain,
Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines worked on it. The bridge consumes 1,000 KW power
a day.

lR;eso t;rs

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

www.moia.gov.in
www.overseasindian.in
MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS