Gandhinagar

Following are the glimpses of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s speech at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas inauguration function at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar today:

-100 years ago Mahatma Gandhi arrived on this land as Pravasi Bharatiya, and now after 100 years today a Pravasi Gujarati is welcoming Pravasi Bharatiya people.

-100 years back Indians went abroad seeking opportunities. Come back, India has opportunities waiting for you.

-For the first time I went to the United Nations and spoke on behalf of India and in the course of my speech I said that while UN celebrates various kinds of days, why not ‘Yoga day’? There are 193 countries as member of UN. Of them 170 nations supported this move. This is a record break support to any proposal. None has been supported in such strength. Over 40 Muslim nations supported this proposal. Generally such proposal would pass in about two years, but this one took hardly 100 days. This is a small example of how the world is eager to accept us.

-I received a press cutting from Gujarat. It was about NRI from Surat district who used to visit his village every year and stay there for a few days. He would take broom in his hand and clean the village. Earlier, villagers would think he has gone mad and make fun of him. But this time when he arrived and did the same, he was joined by entire village. And a press cutting featuring this story was sent to me. There could be many more examples like this.

-Young teams of NRIs settled abroad should initiate an online quiz competition on ‘Bharat ko jano’ theme. Winners could be felicitated once every year on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas function.

-I will come to this auditorium on 11th again and speak about economic issues: Narendrabhai in PBD speech at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar

-Namami Gange fund has been created. Our people from abroad can donate knowledge, technology, time, money whatever in their capacity for river Ganga. Do connect with Ganga and through that do connect with our thousands of years old civilization.

-Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra building is ready for opening in Delhi. Its inauguration will take place soon.

-Around 43 countries are availed Visa on arrival. Electronic travel authorization has been activated. It will save your time.

-PIO and OCI cards – both systems are merged. Both will offer same facility.

-PIO card holder had to visit police station every week when in India. This rule has been ended now.This was an issue of dignity,honor:PM

PTI report:

Indian diaspora is a “great capital” for the country which needs to be nurtured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he sought its cooperation in transforming India that awaits them with opportunities.

Reaching out to the expatriates, he recalled how once adversity, courage and urge to explore new avenues for livelihood motivated their ancestors to leave Indian shores but now the country had “risen with great strength” where “great opportunities” awaited them.

“My conviction is that Indian diaspora is a great capital for us in the global context. The more we nurture it, the more strong will be our presence globally,” Modi said after formally inaugurating the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas at Mahatma Mandir which marked the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to the country from South Africa.

The Prime Minister said today the world was eager to engage with India with “love”.

“After taking up my new responsibility, I have had the opportunity to meet the Heads of State of over 50 countries.

We spoke with an open heart. I feel the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich nations are looking up to India.

Such occasions are rare.

“A measure of love the world has for India was reflected when the United Nations accepted my proposal to observe the World Yoga Day. 177 of the 193-member UN co-sponsored that resolution, over 40 of them Islamic nations, and it was passed in just 100 days, a record of sorts when such resolutions normally take two years to pass,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the love being shown by the world was not because of the affluence of the Indian diaspora in the countries they have adopted but because of their “value system and cultural inheritance”.

He, however, said it was a challenge to prove equal to the expectations the global community has from India.

“Now it is our responsibility to prove equal to the expectations of the world with confidence which Mahatma Gandhi showed even while sweeping the streets, popularising Khadi and doing other services to the nation as he led the freedom movement,” Modi said.

“There used to be a time when you left your beloved country to explore opportunities in different parts of the world…Now I want to assure you that lot many possibilities are awaiting you as time is changing rapidly and India has risen with new strength,” Modi told around 4,000 delegates at the event.

Referring to his ‘Clean India’ campaign, the Prime Minister brought up the issue of cleaning the Ganga, another of his pet projects, and urged the Indian diaspora to get involved in it.

“Cleaning Mother Ganga is also close to your heart, I know. The mission to clean Ganga is of great religious and environmental value and is also key to economic development of 40 per cent of India’s population.

“I want you to get involved in this mission which will improve the environment and spur rural development in vast areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal…It will also help to link you to thousands of years of cultural journey of Mother Ganga,” he said.

Noting that some people felt he was engaging more with the diaspora to fulfil some “expectations”, he said, “It is not so. Meeting our own people gives us strength, sharing our pain and pleasure gives us energy.”

Modi said contributions by Indian expatriates need not always be in dollars and pound sterlings.

He recalled how a Muslim girl of Indian origin, born in an African nation and settled in Canada whose parents had never seen India, stayed in Kutch for months to help the 2001 earthquake victims.

“Whenever there is a painful occurrence, a tragedy, all of you experience the same pain as we do here. When Kutch was hit by a devastating earthquake, there was no Indian living abroad who did not try to wipe the tears of the victims,” he said.

“Today, people in Guyana get drenched in colours on Holi the way we do, their ‘diyas’ continue to inspire us on Diwali.

The Ganga Sagar lake in Mauritius, filled with water from Mother Ganga, continues to inspire and unite all people of Indian origin there,” he said.

Welcoming the diaspora to contribute to India’s transformation, Modi said he had fulfilled the promise he made in his address at Madison Square Garden in New York to merge the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) schemes.

The government had on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance to club the two schemes into one which will benefit PIOs and give them benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing at police stations.

“Now you will no longer have to run to embassies and present yourself before police every week. Today, the authorities know how we value your pride,” he said.

He said the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi will also become operational soon.

Modi repeatedly invoked Mahatma Gandhi in his speech, saying his thoughts, particularly on humanism, had the power to resolve complex problems facing the world.

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the Centre’s outreach programme for overseas Indians, was launched in 2003 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. It has been held every year since.

Government of India release

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called upon the Indian diaspora across the world to unite as a positive global force in the cause of humanity. In his inaugural address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister recalled that exactly 100 years ago, a Non Resident Indian – Gandhi – had returned to India to serve the people. Today, he said, he was welcoming NRIs from across the world as a Non Resident Gujarati.

The Prime Minister said NRIs are present across the world, in more than 200 countries. “India is global because of you,” he told the gathering. He said that in the past, Indians had travelled across the world in search of opportunity, or to gain knowledge and exposure. “Today, opportunities beckon you in India,” he asserted, adding that today, the world looks at India with hope. He said times are changing quickly, and India is rising with great strength.

The Prime Minister exhorted the Indian diaspora to contribute to India`s success in any way possible, including knowledge, expertise or skills. The Prime Minister mentioned in particular, the Namaami Gange project to clean the River Ganga, and make it a source of economic empowerment for 40 percent of India`s population. He said he was sure all NRIs would be inspired to contribute to this cause.

The Prime Minister welcomed the dignitaries from Guyana, South Africa and Mauritius. He recalled how Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali are enthusiastically celebrated in Guyana. He recalled that today – January 8th – was the founding day of the African National Congress in South Africa. He mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi`s birth anniversary – October 2 – is observed in Mauritius with even greater vigour than it is observed in India.

The Prime Minister called upon NRIs across the world to forge and take pride in a common identity and heritage, and to use this strength collectively. He said even if a solitary NRI is present anywhere in the world, India is alive and present in that corner of the world through him.

The Prime Minister said he had met representatives of 50 countries since assuming office, and he could say with confidence that rich or poor, all nations across the world, today feel that their goals and objectives can be met in partnership with India. He said this was a rare opportunity, and it was now upto everyone to use this opportunity for the benefit of humanity, and for India`s benefit.

The Prime Minister said the world was showering affection on India, as was evident from the fact that a record 177 nations out of 193, had co-sponsored India`s resolution on International Day of Yoga at the United Nations.

The Prime Minister said he firmly believes that NRIs are a big strength of India, and India can make a global impact by reaching out to them. The Prime Minister said he was happy to announce that he had fulfilled all promises made to NRIs, such as lifelong visa for PIO cardholders, merging of PIO and OCI schemes, visa on arrival for 43 countries, and electronic travel authorization.

Contribution of Indian diaspora

Minister for External and Overseas Indian Affairs, Ms Sushma Swaraj in her welcome address said the 25 million strong Indian diaspora has become a unique force in the world culture. She said, the government is keen to work closely with the Indian diaspora and welcomed the investors and professionals to partner with India. “I promise, it will be a mutually rewarding experience”, she added.

Recalling India’s close ties with nations having significant population of people of Indian origin, Ms. Sushma Swaraj said , Mauritius calls itself a ‘chhota Bharat’ and celebrates its national day on March 8, the day when Mahatma Gandhi began his historic Dandi March. The Minister informed that the government is setting up a monument of arrival of indentured labour in Guyana. She also mentioned about India’s close bilateral relations with South Africa, the other ‘karm-bhoomi’ of Gandhiji, which is also the partner country at the Vibrant Gujarat summit. Ms. Swaraj said her Ministry’s doors are open to all for any assistance.

Chief Guest Donald Ramotar, President of Guyana and Guest of Honour, Ms. Maite Nkona Mashabane, South African Minister for International Affairs Relations and Cooperation also spoke on the occasion and stressed upon close bilateral ties their countries shared with India. President of Guyana recalled the influence the Indian Independence Movement had in shaping political and economic destinies of other colonial countries. Referring to India’s growing economic clout, Mr. Ramotar urged India to provide leadership to other developing countries, who have no voice, to realize their potential. Stressing upon the need for reforming the UN system, Mr Ramotar said “the global struggle for equality continues”. Ms.Mashabane claimed Mahatma Gandhi to be the national hero of South Africa, as much he is of India. She expressed South Africa’s keenness to deepen ties with India in the fields of Information and Communication Technology, health care and clean energy.

Ms. Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat said that her state is elated to be the partner state of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to fulfill the dreams of Mahatma through various schemes like Swachch Bharat, skill India etc. She extended a warm welcome to the diaspora delegates and invited them to absorb the culture and ethos of Gujarat.

Dandi Kutir

Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ‘Dandi Kutir’ museum located opposite the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The three storey exhibition, housed in a dome shaped structure, traces the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi through various faces – as barrister, his struggles in South Africa, return to India and successfully leading the freedom struggle. Depiction of Gandhiji breaking the salt law after the Dandi March is a major draw. Key concepts of Gandhian thoughts like Satyagraha, non-violence, self reliance, gram swaraj are elaborately explained through a number of exhibits. There is also an audio-visual presentation of milestone incidents of the Indian Independence Movement. The contents of the museum are expressed through a combination of traditional and contemporary media.

Nearly 4,000 delagates from 44 countries are attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 in Gandhinagar. A mega exhibition spread over 1.1 million sq ft has also been organized as part of the programme.

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