Indore: Emphasising the fact that enhancement in India’s abilities is in direct proportion with NRIs’ responsibility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi averred on Monday that this segment should share a greater quantum of factual information regarding the country with the rest of the world.
“The times to come shall witness augmentation in our nation’s robustness and – as a direct consequence – global curiosity will increase vis-à-vis India, which shall remain ever committed vis-à-vis NRI interests,” the Prime Minister said during his address while formally inaugurating the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital.
India being selected as the venue for the G20 summit is a towering achievement indeed and yet another glorious opportunity to prove our worth, he underlined and added that approximately 200 delegates are expected to be in attendance.
“Forty per cent of global real-time digital transactions are being executed within our country; the rest of the world is witnessing our unalloyed vigour. Curiosity of the new generation shall be directly proportional with growth of India’s tourism sphere. Over the past years, we attained extraordinary achievements and pace of development. We executed global trade even centuries ago, crossed virtually limitless seas and extended cultural heritage. After an interval of approximately four years, the Pravasi Bharatiya Convention is being organised in its original form; this is a matter of elation,” Mr Modi observed.
He highlighted Indore’s culinary heritage, described it as a culinary and cleanliness capital, mentioned the state’s lifeline Narmada River and the ancient temple town Ujjain’s world-renowned Mahakaleshwar shrine.
“Indore is not merely a city but actually an era that is ahead of time and encompasses heritage,” the Prime Minister opined.
Earlier addressing the gathering, Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali – who was the Chief Guest – said, “Diaspora policies must not be cast in stone but be flexible. We have embraced the ‘one Guyana’ agenda; my country is espousing the diaspora integration model. Doubtlessly, remittances have provided support for thousands of Guyanese families. My country keenly observed India’s management of relations with its diaspora. Guyana benefitted from India in agriculture, information technology, culture and many other spheres. We owe Prime Minister Modi a debt of gratitude for affection when the hardest of times struck us during the pandemic.”
Speaking on the occasion, Guest of Honour and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said, “This event provides a tremendous opportunity for exploration. India has proven to be a reliable partner in regional and global matters. I perceive numerous opportunities for closer diaspora collaboration over the next two-and-a-half decades and suggest creation of a fund for diaspora projects in the Caribbean region.”
In opening remarks, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar underlined that India will emerge as a leading power under Mr Modi’s leadership.
The Prime Minister was received at the airport by Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Culture Minister Usha Thakur and other personages.
