By Kul Bhushan, IANS
Most NRIs attending the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference in New Delhi have some grouse or the other. In the next event from Jan 7-9, 2008, some major changes should be visible.
The major criticism of this conference so far has been the non-stop speeches by eminent Indians while the NRIs do not get a chance to get in a word. Nirmal Singh, secretary in the overseas Indian affairs ministry, said the ministry has sent out clear signals to panellists at all panels to restrict themselves to 30 or 40 minutes and allow participants to interact for the remaining 30-40 minutes. He spelt out that this time, there are ‘panellists’ and not ‘speakers’, mentioning that some improvement has been noticed since 2006. In 2007, there was some improvement and it was hoped that the next year would see more balanced discussions instead of speeches.
Referring to the emphasis on investment, he said philanthropy would be given more exposure this time as NRIs can contribute more in this area. “The NRI can contribute to his little village for a social welfare cause,” he said giving the background for the focus on social welfare projects.
The awarding of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas honours has been a hot subject of debate among NRIs, especially those who feel they deserve this singular recognition from Mother India but do not get it.
Nirmal Singh outlined the system that has been established to select the 10 awardees. First, the government of India receives recommendations from its envoys abroad. A screening committee goes over all the names proposed and their credentials, especially their contributions to the welfare of NRIs and the improvement of relations with India. The trimmed list is forwarded to a jury committee chaired by the vice president of India and after its comments and recommendations, the short-list is forwarded to the office of the prime minister for a final scrutiny and approval. Only after that does the president of India confer the awards at the closing ceremony.
Further details for setting up an NRI University are expected to be announced at this event as intensive lobbying is in progress by many states to host this institution. Consultants and architects have been short-listed for building an Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre in Chanakyapuri, the diplomatic enclave of New Delhi, and it should be ready in about three years.
For a start, the event is a two-day instead of a three-day affair. On Jan 7, Vayalar Ravi, the overseas Indian affairs minister, hosts a welcome reception in the evening. The event starts the next morning with a formal inauguration by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Responding to criticism from participants, Nirmal Singh said the main focus has this time shifted to knowledge economy, culture and women’s empowerment from investment and infrastructure although this topic also has a plenary session the first day. In the past, NRIs have been critical of the ‘hard sell’ on investment as they do not come as investors with millions of dollars but mostly as professionals to share their expertise and experience in India’s forward march.
The second day, Jan 9, will have two plenary sessions on trade and business opportunities, development challenges of the states, partnership opportunities, diaspora philanthropy and empowerment of rural women. Here again, business and investment have been combined with charity and social development. This gives participants a chance to contribute their bit for India. In the concluding session, the president will confer the 10 awards to NRIs.
Of course, there will be cultural events – classical and traditional dances and music – on both days. In 2008, the Indian government has invited cultural troupes from Mauritius and Suriname to perform at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and later, these will tour other cities of India.
As usual, an exhibition of Indian products and services will be held during the event to get the attention of NRIs in a showcase for India’s services, trade and industry. A new feature is business-to-business partnership hosted by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre. Despite the reduction by one day in the event, the participation fee remains unchanged at $250.
A number of overseas Indians bring delegations to this event from various parts of the world. One such group is from California that will be in Delhi from Jan 10-16. After the presentations on India’s booming economy, the US-Asia Business Forum’s Council delegation will make courtesy calls on the president, the prime minister, the Congress president, Delhi’s lt. governor, chief minister, opposition leaders and cabinet ministers and state ministers. They will have lunch with apex trade and industry associations such as FEIO, FICCI, CII and Assocham. Then they will visit Gurgaon, the new IT hub and BPO centre, before going to Bangalore and Mumbai in a discovery of the new India.
(Kul Bhushan is a commentator on diaspora affairs. He can be contacted at [email protected])