New Delhi: Lashing out at the prophets of doom and “scaremongering efforts” against the government of the day and the country as a whole, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday said “accurate projection” of government policies and the performance is a pressing need.
“On the ground, the delivery of financial and material assistance to the most vulnerable was done on a remarkable scale. Yet, it was a story less than fairly captured when it came to the media abroad. Yes, in the end, the truth will always come out,” Dr Jaishankar said in his keynote address at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas virtual conference – “Forging Media and Entertainment Partnerships to showcase India at 75”.
Dr Jaishankar said, however, a “more effective and accurate projection of our policies and record is clearly a pressing need.”
He said if an honest assessment is made, one can easily find that there were “scaremongering efforts and distorted pictures” presented that sought to lower the national morale. This was a veiled reference to opposition parties and the manner they often try to put negative things in focus.
This conference is being organized the run-up to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021.
Pravasis are, in a manner of speaking, like extended family. “They live abroad but remain deeply connected in heart and soul. As with family members, we take great pride in their achievements. And again, as we do with our near and dear, there is always a strong sense of responsibility towards their welfare.”
These sentiments were tested this year due to the Covid pandemic, said Dr Jaishankar and pointed out that- “the Modi Government responded strongly, putting in place perhaps the largest repatriation exercise in history. If 3 million of our people came back to India through the Vande Bharat Mission, we also facilitated the return of more than 100,000 foreign citizens back to their homes”.
He said many of them were Pravasis too.
Dr Jaishankar further said – “Our reputation as the pharmacy of the world may have been enhanced by providing medicines to more than 150 countries. But the goodwill that it has created – one of great value to our Pravasis – is even more”.
The Minister asserted — “My message is a simple one: in times of trouble, we stand with our people; we will do what it takes for their welfare; and this Government will deliver. And this is the attitude and capability with which we approach the Pravasi world as we near India at 75”.
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