Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Fulfilled my promise of merging OCI, PIO cards, says PM Modi

GANDHINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made attempts on his home soil to hardsell India as a suitable investment destination and made a fervent appeal to the Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avail the opportunity at a time when his government has initiated several initiatives to boost India's economy.
In his inaugural address at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), which is the first edition of diaspora meet in his regime, the Prime Minister claimed that the annual show that lost its zeal in the past one decade.

"India is global because of you," Modi 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 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.

This PBD celebrates 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's return to India. He arrived back in India from South Africa on January 9, 1915.

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 President and senior Ministers from Guyana, South Africa and Mauritius respectively. He recalled how Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali are enthusiastically celebrated in Guyana and today - January 8th - was the founding day of the African National Congress in South Africa. He also 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.

Modi recalled 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 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 including electronic travel authorization.

As he arrived on the stage, the PM was greeted with Bharat Mata Ki Jai and most of his remarks were greeted with huge applause from a packed house.

The total number of delegates at this PBD is over 2,500 highest ever since the PBD initiative was launched in 2003. Today, an estimated over 25 million people of Indian origin and non-resident Indians live and work outside India. Unofficial figures put the diapora number at 35 million.