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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2012

Kerala hopes to see more 'pravasi' money rolling in (Kerala Newsletter)

By Sanu George

Kochi, Jan 11, 2013 As the 11th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) came to a close here, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had reasons to pat themselves on the back with hopes of increasing diaspora investments.

"Yes, the mood among the delegates was very enthusiastic. Kerala will be the biggest beneficiary, as many people are keen to pump in money here," business magnate M.K. Yusuf Ali, who has emerged as brand ambassador of Kerala in the Middle East and is recognised widely as one of the most popular and successful businessmen from the state, told IANS.

His priority remained completing ongoing projects in the state, Ali added.

A pleased Ravi said after curtains were drawn on the PBD here Wednesday:

"I am extremely delighted that this edition saw the biggest ever participation of delegates. More than 2,300 delegates arrived, and all issues concerning the diaspora were brought under the scanner."

Chandy had moved his office to Kochi, over 200 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram to be at the venue of the conference right through.

"I think we did a good job to showcase the immense potential of our state. Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee spoke at length to the delegates, urging them to look to Kerala as a probable place for investment," Chandy said.

Ravi tried hard to dispel the impression that has come about over a number of years that Kerala is rife with trade union activity and hostile to enterprise.

"Both Chandy and I have been involved in trade union activities for long. But today, the first thing that happens when a labour dispute appears impending is for employees to come up with suggestions. Instead of going on strike, there is a dialogue and all concerned, including the minister, sit across the table. Things can be resolved and this is the biggest indication that Kerala has changed and there have been no industrial disputes at all," Ravi said.

Chandy spent time with steel baron Lakshmi Mittal and convinced him that he should consider Kerala for future investments. Mittal has indicated that he would keep Kerala in mind while planning his future ventures.

For US-based hotel baron Sant Singh Chatwal, the event came as a reminder to invest even more in Kerala. Five years ago, he had invested Rs.200 crore in a hotel in the state capital. This time, he wants to put in Rs.300 crore in a plush resort, again in Thiruvananthapuram.

For Chandy, the conference would register as a huge success if his Air Kerala dream project takes wing.

"We have asked for relaxation in rules so as to operate flights to the Middle East directly, without having to operate in the domestic sector. If that is not possible, we are willing to take stakes in Air India Express," Chandy said, explaining the plans of the state government.....IANS/NRIpress.com
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Three non-resident Keralites among PBD awardees

Kochi, Jan 9, 2013

Three non-resident Keralites were among the 15 people given this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards here Wednesday.

Narendra R. Kumar, Mohammed Rabeeh Karuvanthodi and Bava Haji Pandalingal were honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD).

Kumar, 60, a native of Kollam district, is a doctor, specialising in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery), in Michigan in the United States.

He did his MBBS from Kerala in 1977 and settled in the US in 1982. He is currently president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

The other awardee, Karuvanthodi, a native of Malappuram district, runs polyclinics in the Middle East.

He first started clinics in Saudi Arabia and has now expanded into other Middle Eastern countries.

Third awardee Pandalingal is president of the Indian Islamic Centre in Abu Dhabi-- the only recognised organisation for Indian Muslims in the city in the United Arab Emirates.

"The centre works for the welfare of Indian society and does a lot of charitable world," he said.,,IANS/NRIpress.com

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Indian diaspora should help build knowledge society: Mukherjee

Kochi, Jan 9 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday said India sees its vast diaspora as a valuable contributor to its growth and is keen to expand the bonds further in building an inclusive and knowledge society.

Kochi, Jan 9 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday said India sees its vast diaspora as a valuable contributor to its growth and is keen to expand the bonds further in building an inclusive and knowledge society.

The president said the record remittance of $67 billion from overseas Indians was a testimony to both the emotional attachment and the fulfilment in investing in India's strong economy.

"We should explore ways and means to encourage further participation by the diaspora to give additional impetus to India's growth story," Mukherjee said at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here.

"I also wish to see the Indian diaspora as a stronger partner, not only in India's economic growth, but also in building India's knowledge society, while continuing to engage culturally and emotionally, and serving as the effective ambassadors that they have been for this country," the president said.

He said India was the world's third-largest economy on the basis of purchasing power parity and the second fastest growing economy after China.

"In six out of nine years, our country managed to grow at a rate above eight percent. Due to the slowdown in the global economy and other factors, the growth rates have declined -- from 8.4 percent in 2010-11 to 6.5 percent in 2011-12, and further to 5.4 percent in the first half of 2012-13," he said.

He said the diaspora could become partners in India's progress.

"For accelerated growth, investment level has to increase. You all can help in the process by investing in Indian companies and establishing new ventures. The yield of Indian equity markets is amongst the highest in the world and many of the most famous companies have established business here or seeking to do so," he said.

Mukherjee said that during his tenure as finance minister, he opened up the Indian capital market for qualified foreign investors (QFIs).

"Initially, we permitted QFIs to invest in Indian mutual funds and on January 1, 2012, in a far-reaching decision, we opened the doors for them to directly invest in Indian equities.

"Soon, the corporate bond market was opened to QFIs. You may, therefore, also like to look at the opportunity that India offers in this regard and take advantage of the high yield that you are likely to get by investing in the Indian capital markets," he said.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas -- India's annual exposition to connect with its 130-million diaspora in 130 countries -- also saw the president confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards on 15 pre-eminent overseas Indians for their contributions.

In his address, the president lauded the contributions of the Indian diaspora in areas ranging from social service and polity to economy, science and culture.

"It is a matter of pride for every Indian that there are at least five heads of state or government, and over 70 senior political leaders such as deputy heads of state, speakers, ministers in various countries, who can trace their roots to India," Mukherjee said.

The chief guest at the event was Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, who was also among the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

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One woman, two organisations among diaspora awardees

Jan 9 Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Wednesday announced the winners of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas awards, to be given away here later in the day by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Kochi, Jan 9 (IANS) Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Wednesday announced the winners of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas awards, to be given away here later in the day by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The lone woman in the list is Patricia Maria Rozario, who is settled in the UK. She has won the award for contributions in the field of music.

Australian Indian Society of Victoria and Indian Doctors Forum in Kuwait are the two organisations that have been named for the award, and both get the award for community service.

President of Mauritius Rajkeswur Purryag, who was the chief guest at the opening session of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, led the list of other awardees, winning it for public service.

Among others who won the awards are: Professor Gurusharan Singh Chatwal, Germany (Science); Ashok S. Vaswani, Guinea (community service); T.S. Ravindra Menon, Malaysia (Community service); Dr. Rasik V.Joshi, Mexico (Literature); Dr. Satendra K. Singh, New Zealand (Community service); Gilbert. C. Moutien, Reunion Island (Business); Mohammed R. Karuvanthodi, Saudi Arabia (Business); Ismail E. Ebrahim, South Africa (Business); Bava Pandalingal, UAE, (Community service); Dr. N.R.Kumar, US (Health care); and Subhash Razdan, US, (Public service).

Vice President Hamid Ansari was the chairman of the jury that decided the awards. The five-member jury was appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"I know that in the list of awardees there is only one lady. See, the nominations come from Indian embassies and former winners of these awards can also recommend one person. Then it is the decision of the jury," said Ravi, explaining the predominance of men among awardees.

The award carries a gold medal.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Talks about Gadar Movement at PBD 2013

In order to create awareness among the new generation of Indian Americans, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) and Global Punjabi Diaspora organized celebration of 90th anniversary of the Gadar movement in 2003 by holding a day-long seminar followed by a banquet in the evening at the Santa Clara Hilton (60 miles from San Francisco). Former President of India, K.R Narayanan traveled from India to the US to be the chief guest. 

In June 2011, a letter was handed over to India's Consul General in San Francisco, asking Government of India to commemorate centennial of Gadar Movement at a grand scale, issue a postage stamp commemorating Gadar Movement, etc. A similar request was made to the Ambassador of India, and several other high ranking officials and ministers. GOPIO also sent a request to the prime minister of India, followed by personal contact with his office and worked closely with the ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. 

We were very pleased to hear MOIA minister Vayalar Ravi talk about Gadar Movement in his speech at the inaugural event for Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) 2013. We were extremely thrilled to hear prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh talk about Gadar Movement in his inaugural speech at PBD, as follows:  

"This year, we are celebrating the centenary of the Gadar Movement, which was a luminous spark of support in distant California for the struggle for independence being waged at home in our country. Apart from commemorating it by the issue of a special postage stamp, we will also upgrade the Gadar Memorial in San Francisco into a functional museum and library with a sculpture to honor the Gadari Babas, the heroes of  the great movement."   

GOPIO, several organizations and individuals and descendants of Gadari Babas are overjoyed at the acknoweledgement of Gadar Movement by the Prime Minister of India at the annual convention of NRIs/PIOs (PBD 2013).