Indian expats’ wishlist on Republic Day ahead of Modi’s visit

Dubai: From passport reforms and expats welfare programmes to hygiene issues, education and infrastructure development back home, Indian expats expressed a range of wishes ahead of their country’s 69th Repubic Day.

Gulf News spoke to a cross section of Indian expatriates and asked what they want to see in India in the coming years.

Here is what some business leaders and other community members have to say:

Sudhir Kumar Shetty, president of UAE Exchange
“There are so many projects which the government has introduced. But we need active participation of the people also to achieve these objectives. We have the Clean India Project. But hygiene is still a big issue in India, like water contamination and poor hygiene in food establishments in most places. We need to pay enormous attention to these factors right from the panchayat level so that people don’t end up paying for medical services instead of investing in education of their children.

“I would like the government to streamline the various schemes like insurance coverage and also promote the digital economy so that it will eventually end all criminal activities that involve hard cash transactions. Aadhaar linkage to voting machines is also something to be looked at so that there is no provision for misuse in election procedures.”

Kusum Dutta, a long-term expat involved in social work
“We are very proud about the achievements of the (Narendra) Modi government and his relationships with other countries, because of which he is coming here for the second time in such a short span of time.

“On this occasion, I want the government to put in more efforts to make sure that all workers coming from India are well trained to do their job, without which we see many struggling after reaching here.

“I also want the government to refrain from implementing the recently announced passport reform plans. The removal of the last page will badly affect us expats and the colour change of passport will create more discrimination against the poor workers not only in India but abroad also.”

Faizal Kottikollon, founder and chairman of KEF Holdings
“India has witnessed monumental social and economic change under the progressive leadership of Prime Minister Modi and continues to experience a new wave of growth. Initiatives such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Housing for All by 2022’, among others, are changing the landscape in India and boosting local and foreign investments.

“As the government plans for the year ahead, I hope to see robust efforts made towards building public and private partnerships that in turn will play a key role in improving social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and affordable housing.”

Abdul Azeez Manammal, Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs employee
“We have not seen any government in India focusing more on the ordinary working class expats. Usually, they all have big promises which do not materialise. But when the current PM comes to the UAE it gives a renewed hope for the ordinary expats.

“There are so many challenges that the Indian labourers and executives face on the job front. I hope the prime minister will announce some welfare projects that will help the ordinary expats who also contribute to the country’s exchequer. I hope such projects should not become yet another opportunity for the rich to earn more money, but to support those who deserve it.”

Dr Priyanka P.V., educationist and director of Philip Kotler Centre for Advanced Marketing
“Today, I would wish to see India as the most advanced country in the field of education. I believe that education is of prime importance in present day generation. In the age of internet, information is available to all and it is available in abundance. The age-old practices and perceptions of being rigid and textbook-oriented need a change across the higher education sector in India. So, the government should focus on revamping the education system and give something new to the student community.”

Yusuffali M.A., chairman of Lulu Group
“Indian government has greatly liberalised the policies for Foreign Direct Investments and a lot of important sectors are now investor-friendly and open for 100 per cent investments. A very important decision of the government was to treat all NRI investments as domestic investments. After this historic declaration of the government, many companies including ours have started making significant investments in India and are focusing on sectors like food processing, shopping malls, retail and hospitality.

“With the strong and rapid economic growth and having a young and strong workforce, India is today investor-friendly and has the advantage of a geographically and climatically suitable environment for tourism, food processing and related industries.

“I am sure this visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further strengthen and boost the bilateral trade and rich cultural ties between the two nations for the mutual benefits.”

Republic Day Celebrations

Dubai: The over 3million strong Indian expat community in the UAE is celebrating their country’s 69th Republic Day today.

The occasion marks the anniversary of the country’s constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Indian missions in the UAE will hold official flag hoisting ceremonies in the premises of Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Indian Consulate in Dubai.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri and the Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul will hoist the Indian flags at the missions respectively at 8am.

Vipul will once again unfurl and raise the Indian tricolour at the Indian High School in Oud Mehta at 9am,

Around 10,000 community members, students, teachers and parents are expected to attend the celebrations including cultural programmes by the students of the school’s three campuses.

All Indians and friends of India are invited to attend the events.

Various Indian associations across the UAE will also conduct Republic Day celebrations with diplomats conducting the flag hoisting ceremonies in their premises.