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PRAVASI PUNCH...
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The President greets Dr B.R Shetty, a recipient of the Samman Award |
Chairman of the Diwanchand Group of Thailand Shivnath Rai Bajaj gets his due |
President gives the Samman Award to cardiologist Dr Majid Uddin Kazi |
Agricultural scientist from Israel Eliahu Bezale gets the Samman Award |
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Earlier, in the session on Indians in Gulf, Kumar had lamented that it was the blue-collared workers of the Gulf who deserve to be celebrated and not those who renounced Indian citizenship to become citizens of other countries. He was referring to the awards announced for NRIs from the US and Britain. The fact that this session was not attended by the Minister of Overseas Indians Affairs or any other senior officials further irked the Gulf delegates.
It was left to the Protector General of Emigrants, R.K. Singh, to make a few announcements. He said migrant workers in the Gulf region would be issued smart cards within three months, containing information pertaining to their employment details and insurance. The move would help identify “genuine migrant workers” and tackle their problems effectively. Plans were on to set up round-the-clock helplines in 13 identified missions in the Gulf to provide assistance to workers in distress, the official said.
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Kalam feels that in the fifth wave of migration towards the end of the 21st century, Indians may settle in Mars and in colonies on the Moon |
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The coverage under insurance scheme for overseas Indians is to be increased from Rs2 lakh to Rs5 lakh with a provision for emergency medical treatment of up to Rs50,000 for workers abroad. The legal expenses up to Rs25,000 would also be covered and the concerned insurance company would cover repatriation of workers for the entire period.
Not one to let such an opportunity as PBD pass, Finance Minister P Chidambaram launched a remittance gateway for overseas Indians to send money to any place in the country within 24 hours. The Integrated Remittances Gateway was developed by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs in partnership with UTI Bank and Doha Bank.
It provides faster and cost-effective means for the Indian diaspora to send money from anywhere to India within 24 hours. The remittances can be currently sent through 14,500 banks under Real Time Global Settlement (RTGS) but the finance minister said the remittances could be sent to any part of the country with hundreds of more banks coming under RTGS. UTI Bank chief P.J. Nayak gave a demonstration and the transaction was completed in 20 seconds.
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Prime Minister presents the second OCI card to Iftekhar Shareef |
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Chidambaram assured the overseas Indians that the government would follow “sensible economic policies” to ensure that the economy continues to grow so that “you can send the money to your families with greater confidence”.
Union Minister of state, OIA, Oscar Fernandes talked at length of “total and complete attention to the NRIs”, faster clearance of projects, and voting rights to all eligible overseas Indians, except Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who get its citizenships. The minister said the NRIs can invest anywhere, except in agriculture and plantation sector. As for private airlines, he said Air Deccan has reached an agreement with a Sri Lankan carrier, and lots of schedules are planned between the two countries.
Even as the lengthy plenary sessions inside the conference rooms of the Diaspora conclave talked of NRI rights and remittance facilities; outside there was another set of discussion going strong among huddles—matchmaking.
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Who deserves to be celebrated? The blue-collared worker of the Gulf or those who left India to become citizens of other countries? |
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The mega business event appears to have been transformed into a happy hunting ground for parents searching for eligible NRI brides and grooms.”Why not? Since PBD is a business conclave, this is just another kind of trade happening? You opt for things where you get a good deal. I can see decked-up girls on the look-out for handsome guys. Next time, let Shaadi.com strike a partnership with the government of India and indulge in good and flourishing business,” said a delegate.
While the visit of the NRIs is not aimed at finding a soul-mate for their children, “it’s always good to keep your eyes and ears open” said a delegate from Mauritius. As a wag put it, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, if not for anything, can be Prospective Bridegroom/Bride divas.
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February 2006
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