PM calls on non-resident Indians to contribute more to growth

Jaipur: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday called for more contribution from non-resident Indians towards the growth of the country.

Speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, or Overseas Indian Conference, here, the prime minister said the government would assist NRIs where they could.

"The government and people of India greatly recognise and greatly value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad," he said.

"The Indian diaspora has much more to contribute towards the building of modern India. We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement."

Singh said amendments have been introduced in the citizenship act to give recognition to the spouses of NRIs abroad.

Anomalies rectified

"In the last parliament session, we introduced a bill intended to merge and streamline people of Indian origin and overseas citizens of India scheme by amending the citizenship act," he said.

"This will rectify some of the anomalies in this scheme and provide for an overseas Indian card which will be given to the spouses of such Indians."

Singh said the Indian government is concerned about the safety and security of its diaspora living in areas like the Gulf and west Asia.

Safety and security

"We are acutely conscious of the safety and security of Indians living abroad, particularly in regions characterised by instability," Singh said.

"There are over six million Indians living in the Gulf and west Asia. We need to be alert to the unfolding developments in this part of the world.

"We have conveyed to the countries of the region that we have a stake in the peace and stability of this region, and that we expect that they would appropriately look after the interests of Indian communities in their countries."

A lack of space forced many delegates to miss the address, causing disappointment.

The delegates were seen asking police officials at Birla Auditorium to let them in.

Over 1,700 delegates registered for the event, which ends today, against a seating capacity of 1,200.

"There were many delegates, around 200-250, who came to me and requested to let them inside the auditorium to attend the inaugural function," a junior officer said.

"But we were not able to do so as the auditorium was full to capacity."

H.R. Jangid, a delegate from Dubai, said: "I came here at 8.30am and was not able to find a seat. We had to stand outside.

"We were not able to watch the PM deliver the inaugural address. We came here to be part of this event, not to stand outside."