By IANS,
New Delhi : Setting up a fund for distressed Indian workers abroad and a global network of Indian origin people were among the important achievements of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in extending its hand of help to the diaspora during the first year of its second term.
In his report card to the people, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh noted that his government March last year approved the setting up of the Indian Community Welfare Fund in 17 Indian missions, mainly in the Gulf and the Maldives. “The ICWF will enable extending on site welfare and emergency relief to overseas Indians in distress,” according to the report card.
Besides, a body of prominent members of the Indian diaspora – the PM’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians – was also set up and held its first meeting Jan 7 this year.
Further, an electronic platform called the Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global INK) has been formed, which will “connect people of Indian Origin from a variety of disciplines, recognised as leaders in their respective fields, not just in their country of residence but globally as well, with knowledge users at the national and sub-national levels in India”.
The annual jamboree of overseas Indian had its eighth edition in Delhi in January 2010, which was attended by 1,500 delegates. A mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was also held in the Netherlands in September last year.