Indian expats in the Gulf deserve more help - Ravi

New Delhi: The fifth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) began here on Sunday on a positive note. The man who addressed the practical concerns of many of the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who form a conspicuous segment of the diaspora, was Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

In an interview with Gulf News on Sunday, Ravi pointed out the usefulness of an event like the PBD, and what he hoped to do with the newly-constituted Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs he heads.

During the interview, he admitted that Indian expatriates from different parts of the world were faced with different concerns, and that they had different proposals to make.

He denied that more attention is paid to the NRIs from the United States to the neglect of Indians from elsewhere, especially those from the Gulf countries. He said that NRIs from the US did not need any help from the government, but that it is not so for those from the Gulf countries.

Excerpts from the interview:

Gulf News: What is the significance and usefulness of an event like the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)?

Vayalar Ravi: This is like a family gathering of Indians from different parts of the world. It provides a common platform for them to voice their views and concerns. It strengthens the bonds between the expatriates and the home country. They represent diverse views and express different concerns because the issues differ with each region. It is good to hear what they have to say, and look into the many proposals they come up with.

What else are you doing to make this event more effective?

For example, we have got the state governments to participate in the second day of the PBD. They will interact directly with the expatriate Indians, and that will be a useful way of channelling with regard to projects, investments and such other things.

Do you think that Indian expatriates from the United States get more attention than the others?

It is not true. The Indians from America do not need any help from us (the government). All they want is recognition. It is not so in the case of Indians in the Gulf countries. We are concerned over the issues facing Indians in the Gulf countries, and we want to do what we can for them.

Is the proposal for the setting up of a university for People of Indian Origin (PIO) a major decision?

Yes. It is a major step. But I cannot make the announcement as yet because the governmental process is not complete yet. It will help children of the expatriates to pursue higher education. And the setting up of the NRI Centre in Dubai is also a major step forward.

Do you think that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will be able to achieve much because so many other ministries are involved in the decision-making?

My ministry is going to be the nodal agency. We will cooperate with other ministries, and I am confident that things can be done.

You have said that there is now a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE with regard to protection of Indian workers, especially in the informal sector. Will the Indian government also be monitoring the recruiting agencies in India?

Yes. The recruitment agencies will be monitored as well. But this has to be done at the level of the state governments. Errant agencies will have to be tackled by the state governments.