Gandhinagar

Presented above is a video of inauguration function of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being celebrated at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today in presence of External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, NRI Priti Patel among others. Sushma Swaraj in her speech said, this youth pravasi bharatiya divas is about 3Cs: Connect, Celebrate, Contribute. She said the pravasi is the most significant example of India’s ‘soft power’ abroad. She appealed global Indians to come connect, celebrate, contribute and become a part of momentous transformation taken place. Country will always consider you as one of its own, regardless of colour of your passport or land of your citizenship, she said.

Gandhinagar, Jan 7 (PTI) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today appealed to the Indian diaspora to contribute to the country’s transformation as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through investments, especially in government initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Swachch Bharat’.

Contribute towards India’s transformation: Sushma to Pravasis

Speaking at the inauguration of the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here, Swaraj said the government was taking a slew of steps to ensure that investing and doing business in India for them becomes simpler and easier.

“Over the next few years, foreign investment is necessary …We want you, the young Pravasis, to contribute to the development of India. We want you to participate in the vision that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has for the India’s future.

We have launched several initiatives that has the potential to transform India,” she said in her inaugural speech.

“Come, connect, celebrate and contribute for transforming India,” she added.

Swaraj said the government has undertaken programmes like the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Jan Dhan Yojana, Clean Ganga Campaign, Swachch Bharat Abhiyan which promise big changes in the landscape, but may need investments.

“To enhance ease of?doing business, the government has taken multiple steps to simplify procedures, rationalise rules and increased use of technology. Efforts are on to identify laws which need to be repealed.

“There is also a clear focus of infrastructure and financing of infrastructure,” the minister said, promising that the government is committed to the highest standards of transparency and integrity.

She said there is a new dynamism in the economy and the formation of a strong government at the Centre has only added to the excitement due to its “investor-friendly measures”.

“The government is working in mission mode, you can contribute and become a partner,” she said.

The 13th edition of the flagship congregation of diaspora is coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi arriving back to India from South Africa in 1915, to eventually lead the country towards attaining freedom.

Come, connect and contribute: Sushma Swaraj tells diaspora youth

Gandhinagar

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj Wednesday called on the diaspora youth gathered here to “come, connect, celebrate and contribute” to be part of the “momentous transformation taking place in the country”.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2015 Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), Sushma Swaraj, who is also the external affairs minister, urged the diaspora youth to contribute to the country’s development.

She said the Narendra Modi government has taken several measures to ease the business environment, including by rationalising rules and identifying obsolete laws.

The minister said the clear focus of the Modi government is on infrastructure development and the government is moving towards a transparent policy.

Earlier, welcoming hundreds of youth delegates, Sushma Swaraj said it is a special joy to interact with the youth “who share a special bond of heart with India”.

She said the PBD is a platform to connect the diaspora with the motherland and promote the concept of a global Indian family.

Inaugural session of Youth PBD kicks off

Gandhinagar

The inaugural session of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began here Wednesday with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj lighting the ceremonial lamp.

More than 4,000 delegates have arrived for the 13th PBD, the world’s largest annual gathering of people of Indian origin, aimed at enhancing networking and reinforcing commercial linkages.

There are 25 million people of Indian origin residing outside India.

The three-day diaspora conclave is being held at the Mahatma Mandir complex in Gandhinagar Jan 7-9 to mark the centenary of India’s “sarva sreshtha pravasi Bharatiya” or foremost Indian diaspora member, Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India.

The Mahatma Mandir is a sprawling complex spread across 60,000 sq mt.

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