AMN / Varanasi
President Ram Nath Kovind today called upon Indian diaspora to partner in the development of New India.
He said that the diaspora was commanding global heights today and is our cultural ambassador. Mr Kovind was addressing the valedictory session of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Varanasi this evening.
The President said, India today, is a land of billion ideas and billion opportunities. He said, the country wants to leverage the technology and investment of NRIs to power Central government’s Make in India, Digital India, Clean India and Skill India programmes.
He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, new programmes have been initiated to bring Indians and Indian-origin people living abroad closer to the country. The President said, the government wants more and more of them to connect with their ancestral villages and towns.
Focusing on the youth, the President said, they have started ‘Experience the Scientific India Programme’ for the young diaspora scientists. He asked them to become a bridge between India and the world so that they can cross-pollinate and enrich each other.
President Kovind also conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman on 30 members of Indian diaspora for their significant contribution.
Several dignitaries including Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh were also present on the occasion.
President Kovind addresses valedictory session of 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention https://t.co/gMdCMDYJ96
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 23, 2019