Diaspora has changed ‘perception of country’

Tribune News Service
Varanasi, January 21

In recent years, Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world’s perception of Indians and India, said Union Minister for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj while inaugurating the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today.

Today, people of Indian origin are not only heads of state and government, but also occupy top positions in multinational corporations, thus raising India’s global profile.

Swaraj said the idea of starting Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas had not been limited to discovering roots and appreciating heritage, but also to learn how each one of the young Pravasi Indian could be part of India’s development journey towards a New India.

Speaking of “limitless opportunities” being offered in India, the minister said the Indian Government was creating an environment where people of Indian origin and their children could excel in India if they were looking for affordable quality education or as tech start-ups.

She said the scope for NRIs and OCI cardholders to conduct better research in Indian institutions and universities had increased.

The minister said India was poised to become the youngest country by 2022 with an average age of 29 years that would provide it an unprecedented edge towards building a new young India.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Member of Parliament from Norway Himanshu Gulati and Member of Parliament from New Zealand Kanwalijit Singh Bakshi were also present on the occasion.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be present tomorrow to formally inaugurate the 15th edition of PBD in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi on the theme of “Role of Indian Diaspora in Building a New India”.