SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE VALEDICTORY SESSION AND CONFERMENT OF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMAN AWARDS AT THE SIXTH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS

New Delhi, 9th January 2008

I am delighted to be here in this gathering of over 1,500 Overseas Indians from across the world. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas signifies the homecoming of the Pravasi. So let me say to all of you - welcome home and also I wish you a Happy New Year.

Nearly a century ago, on this day in 1915, the first great Pravasi, Mahatma Gandhi, returned home after his successful struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He energised a people to resist colonial rule and lead a uniquely successful non-violent struggle for the freedom of India. In the 21st century we are living in a world that is witnessing violence and acts of terror. These are times when the world must be inspired, once again, by the principles of Truth and Non-violence for which Mahatma Gandhi - the great apostle of peace - lived and died.

Globalisation is increasing prosperity across the world but at the same time widening the wealth and income gaps between the rich and the poor. The world and indeed India must make efforts to reduce these gaps by adopting an approach of 'inclusive development' - which requires us to urgently address the task of the greater good of the greatest numbers. I am glad that the Conference this year focused on social development challenges that we face in India.

Over the last two days you would have deliberated on how you can contribute to the social development of India. Several ideas, I am sure, have emerged for building partnerships in health, education, rural development, empowerment of women and gender equality. These ideas must be transformed into individual initiative and community action. It will be "action on ground" that will contribute to improving the lives of the people who need help.

The overseas Indian community is impressive in terms of its size, spread and its growing influence. Estimated at about 25 million in 130 countries, the Indian Diaspora is a significant economic, social and cultural force in the world today. This vast and diverse overseas Indian community grew out of a variety of causes - mercantilism colonialism, and globalisation - and migration took place in different waves over several hundreds of years. The divergent patterns of settlement, the varying degrees of integration with their new homelands and the emergence of new identities and ethos make the Indian Diaspora unique. It is difficult to speak of one great 'Indian Diaspora'. There are communities within communities whose bond with India and the manner and extent of engagement is marked by its own experiences as well as by time and distance. However, what binds you all with India - is your origins, roots and links with India.

Overseas Indians are representatives of India and its people, regions, religions, languages, values, culture and history. The general reputation of Indians living abroad is that they are hardworking, as also loyal and committed to the country in which they live and work. This should be kept up. At the same time, overseas Indians should also look at ways in which they can be partners in the growth of India.

India is emerging on the global stage. India is today the fastest growing free market democracy. With a growth rate of 9 percent per annum over the last three years, the economy has demonstrated the capacity for sustained growth. With foreign exchange reserves in excess of US $250 billion and Foreign Direct Investment of nearly US $ 30 billion last year, we are confident that we will attain a growth rate of 10 percent. This growth has helped us lift millions of people out of poverty. We have been able to expand access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities to a vast majority of our population.

Yet this is but work in progress and much remains to be done. The slow growth in agriculture is a cause for concern. With more than half the population directly dependent on this sector, low agricultural growth has implications for 'inclusiveness' of growth. We have embarked on a national action plan to significantly raise the level of investment, technology and innovation in Agriculture. We have also sought to address the mammoth task of health and education for all on a mission mode. Social Development is important for our stable growth. Investing in India's human capital to bring every citizen into the fold of economic development in a sustainable and quick manner is a mammoth task. The Indians living abroad can contribute to schemes and projects in the fields of education, health and rural development as also invest in infrastructure projects and enterprises whether they be small, medium or large sized industries.

There have been some recent initiatives, including partnerships involving overseas institutions and the Indian Diaspora, helping India to further its development goals and invest in its human capital. More such partnerships should be established. Linkages between institutions of advanced learning would also be useful. Overseas Indians could be catalysts and promoters of such linkages given that they represent a reservoir of knowledge, skills, resources and enterprise.

Overseas Indians, as doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, academics and statesmen have excelled in their spheres of activity. Some of you have been honoured today with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. I must specially congratulate Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius. You are a special friend of India. You have led your country with distinction and statesmanship. Let me also congratulate all the other awardees on achieving this distinction. You have with excellence in your fields enhanced the image of India.

I call on the Overseas Indian community to engage proactively in contributing to the growth of India. I will leave all you with some ideas for raising the level of engagement. Ideas that can help build a critical mass for development. First, Overseas Indians must make use of the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme. It gives you a lifetime free visa to India and also allows you to live and work in India whenever you choose. Second, the newly established Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, can be the Diaspora's window to invest in and benefit from India. It will serve as your 'one stop shop'. Government has begun work on establishing a 'Diaspora Knowledge Network' - an electronic platform to enable the Indian Diaspora to transform ideas into individual initiatives and community action in India. I would urge you to participate actively in this project. The soon to be established 'India Development Foundation', will provide the Overseas Indian Community a credible window to contribute to social development causes such as empowerment of women and rural development in India.

I conclude by emphasizing that there is an important role that each one of you can play in India's journey to becoming a strong, just and equitable society. The time has come for a strong and sustained partnership between India and its Diaspora.

I have no doubt that together; we will keep our 'tryst with destiny'.

I wish you success in your endeavours.

Thank You.

JAI HIND !