New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the Indian community living abroad
is making the country proud and contributing immensely to both the country they are residing in and to the
motherland.
'You are the face of India in Malta exemplifying to the people you interact with, the mind and heart
of Bharat,' he told members of the Indian diaspora at a reception hosted in his honour at Valletta, the
capital of Malta, Sunday night, noting that the role of the Indian community was crucial for taking the
message of India to the world in art, culture, ethos and traditions.
'Each one of you, member of the Indian diaspora, have made us proud because of your accomplishments,
your acceptance within the country of your adoption and your well-recognised contribution to the development
of the society which you have adopted,' he said addressing the Indian community reception hosted by the
Indian High Commissioner to Malta. Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla, High Commissioner
of India to Malta Rajesh Vaishnaw was present on the occasion.
The Vice-President said a resurgent India will always be with the people of Indian origin and asked them not
to forget the motherland that had given them a great upbringing.
Expounding on the Indian growth story, he said that the nation was witnessing stable growth and was on the
rise. 'Systematic government reforms are making an inclusive society and the efforts are in full swing to make
India a formal economy,' he said.
Stating that India was at the cusp of transformation that was unprecedented, the Vice-President added that
digitisation of economy, financial inclusion, GST and the Jan Dhan schemes had brought in revolutionary
change in the Indian economic scenario. Road and telecom networks had changed India and the communication
system in a vast country like India was revolutionary as he reminded the audience of the steps taken by former
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Besides the growing popularity of Indian art, yoga and Ayurveda all over the world, Mr Naidu said India had
become a health destination and had launched an ambitious healthcare system -- Ayushman Bharat programme -- recently launched, which would change the healthcare system in India.
Stressing the need to strengthen India-Malta relations, he said that despite being a small nation Malta had shown
good growth and both countries could have a long term relationship. The size of the country was not important
but the growth was, he added.
The Indian population could excel in all spheres and they integrated well with societies across the globe.
Geographical boundaries did not separate India and Malta, he noted.
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