GANDHINAGAR(Gujarat), The Vice President of India, Mr. M Hamid Ansari, today felicitated 15 overseas Indian with the Pravasi Bharatiya Speaki Samman Awards at the Valedictory Session at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. ng
on the occasion, Mr. Ansari said, This year is a special one. It
coincides with the centenary of Mahatma Gandhis return to India from
South Africa, following
which he took on the mantle of leadership of perhaps greatest
non-violent struggle for independence against the colonial yoke. Gandhi
ji was also, unquestionably, the greatest Pravasi Bharatiya of all.
He
said, Relationships, even emotional ones, are not a one-way street.
The Overseas Indians have expectations aimed at facilitating and
intensifying their involvement
with India. The Government of India, and the State Governments, have
acknowledged the validity of these sentiments and taken or initiated
steps to attract, assist and promote a deeper and multifaceted
relationship, which is mutually beneficial and long lasting.
We in India attach highest importance to issues of interest and concern
to the overseas Indians. The
Vice President stated, India today is on the cusp of change, in the
process of actualizing the expectations of its vast population for a
better life. India aspires
for a better place in the comity of nations. Both of these require
rapid economic development, accompanied by better educational, health
and social parameters. This requires a massive collective effort by all
segments of our population. The governments at
central and state levels need to provide visionary leadership and are
determined to do so. Ansari added, In this endeavor, an important role can be and must be
played by the Overseas Indians. They have knowledge and resources to
reinforce the effort in niche
areas; they also have the experience of other lands where similar
efforts were pursued successfully. We welcome such initiatives, which
will replicate these valuable experiences here and save us from
reinventing the wheel. He
said, What then is the challenge before us in this task of linking
India more closely with its overseas community? In my view it is to
maintain and strengthen the linkages
between the next generation of Pravasis and their counterparts in
India. It is essential that the new generations at both ends continue
and strengthen this mutually beneficial bond. The Youth Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas organized on the 7th of January is a good
step in the right direction. The
recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are Mrs. Mala Mehta,
Australia; Mr. Donald Rabindernauth Ramotar, Guyana; Dr. Rajaram
Sanjaya, Mexico; Mr. Kanwaljit Singh
Bakshi, New Zealand; Mr. Rajmal Parakh, Oman; Mr. Duraikannu
Karunakaran, Seychelles; Mr. Essop Goolam Pahad, South Africa; Mr. Shah
Bharatkumar Jayantilal, UAE; Mr. Ashraf Palarakunnummal, UAE; Mr.
Mahendra Nanji Mehta, Uganda; Prof. Nathu Ram Puri; Lord
Raj Loomba, Britain; Mr. Satyanarayana Nadella; Dr. Lulla Kamlesh, US
and Dr. (Mrs.) Nandini Tandon, USA. |