Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has given a new dimension to India's outreach to the diaspora, and it has evolved in such a way that the country is now moving towards the concept of "Global Indian".
New Delhi: More and more Indians are becoming global leaders, and the Indian diaspora has emerged as a "living bridge" connecting India to the rest of the world. These observations were made by Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan while addressing the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Conference 2022.
"It is heartwarming how the members of our large diaspora, while being well integrated into the countries and societies where they live and work, have continued to maintain deep and abiding connections with their motherland and its rich heritage, traditions and culture," the Minister said.
In the context of technological development, he said, "It is indeed a proud moment for India when Indians are becoming global leaders. Our diaspora serves as a living bridge connecting India to the world."
"From Sundar Pichai to Parag Agarwal, from Rajeev Suri to Leena Nair, several luminaries are proof of Indian youth leadership on the global stage. Non Resident Unicorns (NRUs) building on India's strength in IT and outsourcing, has become the new buzz word," he said.
The Minister further said, even as a galaxy of Indians hold "esteemed positions and leading from the front in their respective spheres", they all have retained the all-important connection with their "roots" and upholding their traditions, rites and rituals, culture, cuisine and language.
The theme of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Conference 2022 is the "Role of Diaspora Youth in Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav–Innovation and New Technologies".
The Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's outreach to the diaspora has taken "new dimensions" and evolved in such a way that the country is now moving towards the concept of "Global Indian".
He pointed out that the Youth PBD Conference has been organised to "further deepen" the engagement with the rapidly growing members of "diaspora-children" who have begun to occupy prominent positions in various countries worldwide.
"Many such youth are involved in high tech areas and new startups, for example, in finance, e-platforms and knowledge based innovations which are constantly disrupting the established forms of businesses and markets."
The VAJRA Faculty Scheme, launched by the Prime Minister during the PBD in 2017, brings an international dimension to the R&D ecosystem of India. "It taps the expertise of International Faculty/scientists/technologists including NRI and PIO/ OCI in highly competitive areas of research and development by offering them adjunct/visiting faculty positions in Indian Institutions/Universities," he said.
Another major initiative is named PRABHASS: "Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark-Integrating Indian Diaspora with the Mother Land" is an initiative to develop a database and a virtual platform to bring onboard the Global Indian S&T Community to address the Indian social challenges/problems, Mr Muraleedharan said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended their wishes to the Indian diaspora on the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
"Greetings to everyone, especially the Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. Our diaspora has distinguished itself all over the world and has excelled in different spheres," said PM Modi in a tweet on Sunday (January 9).
"We are proud of their accomplishments," PM Modi added.
"Greetings to the Indian Diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. Your achievements are a source of pride for us," said S Jaishankar in a tweet.
"And our emotional bond grows from strength to strength," Jaishankar added.
