New initiatives await the Diaspora in Delhi

May the lamp of hope glow across the world. A file picture of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009 by the Confederation of Indian Industry, New Dehi.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 7 to 9

People of Indian Origin (PIO) will be able to voice their opinions on issues of concern at the Eighth annual convention of the Indian Diaspora.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2010 will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi from January 7 to 9, bringing together more than 2000 PIO across the Continents.

As the Indian Government prepares for the next phase of growth of the economy, it needs to engage well with the Diaspora, not just the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), since their combined resources will be imperative for boosting investment and trying to surpass China’s development and runaway growth.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is organising the three-day event in partnership with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the Conference on January 8, while President Pratibha Patil will deliver the valedictory address and present the Bharatiya Samman Awards to winners on January 9.

Federal ministers, chief ministers, members of Parliament and captains of industry and community leaders will participate in the conference.

Congress Party supremo Sonia Gandhi is also likely to attend the inaugural session.

The emerging strength of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) should encourage the members of the Indian community to participate in the annual event, or at least voice their concerns through its officials.

GOPIO has ten chapters in New Zealand, and hence its participation would be imperative to justify the main theme of the Conference – Engaging the Diaspora: Everlasting Bonds of Togetherness.

Government Initiatives

The Indian Government is launching a number of initiatives to evince the wider interest of the Diaspora. These include, as a part of PBD, major sessions on Investment, Knowledge, Philanthropy and Gender Issues; seminars on Nano-Technology and Property and a Gulf Tournament.

I have not seen any ministerial delegations attending the conference but Trade Minister Tim Groser should visit the country again around the time and interact with the relevant people and attempt to start negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

As of now, there is no organisation in New Zealand to assist the Government with appropriate feedback, advice and market intelligence. The New Zealand Branch of GOPIO has the potential but has thus far not shown any initiative.

Organisations such as the India New Zealand Business Council and ETTANZ, led respectively by Wenceslaus Anthony and Satish Sharma are competent and capable to strengthen the bond with India. They should jointly work out strategies and programmes that will not only create a conducive environment for businesses in either country to engage in cross-border investment and joint venture deals concurrently but also strengthen the Government’s hands to negotiate a free-trade pact that is mutually beneficial. PBD offers an ideal setting for conducting meaningful dialogues on issues of bilateral importance.

PIO in general and businesses in particular should avail themselves of the opportunity to forge ahead with well-defined objectives and more important, areas of involvement.

Indian Newslink will raise a number of issues for discussion at the various sessions of the Conference. These would include measures to check immigration fraud, exploitation of Indians on work permits, measures to improve safety and security of students and steps to stop harassment of young brides following their migration to New Zealand.

The publication is already working with the Government on FTA issues.

Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand and Dr Rajen Prasad (in their erstwhile capacity) were the first New Zealanders to attend the first PBD held at the same venue in 2003. Thereafter, many others including Judge Ajit Swaran Singh, former Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner (both were honoured with the Bharatiya Samman Awards by the Indian Governments respectively in 2008 and 2004) have attended the annual event.

However, New Zealand’s representation is sparse and tepid.

The forthcoming event will hopefully be a turning point with increased participation.

Registration forms can be downloaded from www.moia.gov.in