New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) Lauding the people of Indian origin for climbing to appreciable heights in the countries of their residence and having contributed to the well-being of that country and of society, President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said the Indian diaspora have embellished identity of India and its people all over the world.
Speaking after inaugurating the International Conference of PIO Parliamentarians, being organised by Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad - Bharat in association with the PIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs, the President said, 'The Indian diaspora has climbed to appreciable heights in almost all the countries where it has found a home. It has contributed to the well-being of that country and of that society – enriching the economy and adding to intellectual wealth and local culture. Members of the Indian diaspora work hard on farms in countries as far apart as Italy, Bolivia and Tanzania."
He added: "They are instrumental to the tech start-up ecosystem of Silicon Valley. They form the backbone of the economy of Dubai and other major business cities in the Gulf region. The global financial centres of New York, London and Singapore would simply not be the same without the Indian diaspora. And as I discovered during my first state visit after being elected as the President of India, Pravasi Bharatiya teachers have helped educate several generations in Ethiopia.
"As a country, we are very proud of what our Pravasi Bharatiya brothers and sisters have done. They have embellished the identity of India and of the Indian people all over the world.'
The President said the Indian diaspora have remained true to Indian culture and retained a strong and commendable bond with their roots, even when living thousands of miles away.
'If Indian cuisine and Indian films have a global market today, it is because the diaspora has taken them to distant lands,' he said.
The President said for the Government of India, engagement with PIO parliamentarians – or indeed with the wider Indian diaspora community – was not a transactional relationship or a zero-sum game.
'Rather, we look upon the community and look upon PIO parliamentarians and elected and public representatives as a living bridge. They have a role in enhancing understanding between their countries and the country of their parents and ancestors. And in helping build economic, people-to-people and strategic connections that will be of benefit to both countries and to all of us,' the President said.
Mr Kovind added that as PIO parliamentarians, as those in public life in their systems who have the best understanding of India, it is important for them to link their individual country’s priorities to India’s development. And to see how these can intersect.
UNI AR SW 1311