Agencies Gandhinagar, Jan 7: Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj Wednesday called upon 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.
“We want you, the pravasis, to contribute to the development of India. We want you to participate in the vision that Prime Minister Modi has for India’s future,” she said and enumerated the several programmes launched by the government, including the Make in India, Smart Cities, Swachch Bharat, and Skill India.
She said the government has been working in mission mode to implement all these programmes. “You can contribute to them and become an active partner in these ventures. Our government is fully committed to good governance, efficiency, accountability, transparency, and speedy decision-making.”
The minister, addressing the diaspora youth at the Mahatma Mandir complex, said there are “tremendous opportunities today for you to join us, especially in the fields of manufacturing, infrastructure development, education, health, skills development, science and technology, research and innovation, knowledge economy and youth development as part of our effort to realise India’s full potential”.
Describing the diaspora as “the most significant example of India’s soft power”, Sushma Swaraj said the diaspora has “retained a bit of India” in their hearts. Though living thousands of miles away, you have “kept the spirit of Bharat alive”.
Union minister of state for sports and youth affairs Sarbananda Sonwal, speaking at the inauguration, urged the diaspora youth to “preserve the values of their forefathers”.
Priti Patel, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury of Britain, addressed the gathering and said the “UK is keen to share with India its experiences in fostering government-industry partnership.”
She said that in Britain 1.5 million Indians were working and contributing to the British economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the official section of the PBD Thursday. Guyana President Donald Ramotar will be the chief guest at the 13th PBD.
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 between January 7 and 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.
Swaraj meets SA counterpart, Mauritius minister
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday met with her South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who is attending the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) being held here.
The event marks the centenary of the return to India of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa.
Sushma Swaraj and Nkoana-Mashabane met on the sidelines of the three-day PBD that kicked off here Wednesday with the Youth PBD.
She also met with Mauritius Vice Prime Minister Showkutally Soodhun.
PBD is the world’s largest annual gathering of people of Indian origin aimed at enhancing networking and reinforcing commercial linkages.
The chief guest at the 13th PBD would be Guyana President Donald Ramotar, who is on a six-day official visit to India between January 7 and 12.