SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA

Nicosia, Cyprus, 30th October, 2009

Smt. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development,

High Commissioner Ashok Kumar,

Friends of India,

Dear Fellow Compatriots,

My greetings to all of you.

It is a great pleasure for me to visit Cyprus and to have an opportunity to meet fellow compatriots living here and also to meet the Friends of India, who have contributed to building the warm ties that characterize relations between India and Cyprus.

Earlier in the day, I had the occasion to travel to some parts of Cyprus and was impressed with its rapid development. It is the hard work of its people which has transformed the Cypriot economy in the past three decades. We rejoice in the achievements of the Cypriot people - our close and trusted friends.

I am told that decades ago there were only a handful of Indians living in Cyprus. However now, due to the progressive vision of the Government of Cyprus, a large number of Indian professionals, particularly in the IT sector are working in this beautiful country. The number of Indians in professional courses in educational institutions in Cyprus has also increased. I was also happy to learn that the Indian community here represents a microcosm of India. People from different regions of India have come here and are living together harmoniously. This is how it should be.

Indians abroad are well known for being responsible citizens of the countries of their domicile. I have no doubt that each one of you is contributing, in your own way, towards the progress of Cyprus. You are also very important bridges of friendship between our two countries and I hope that during your stay and work here, you will contribute to further cementing the long standing ties between India and Cyprus.

India, as the world's largest democracy, with an electorate of over 714 million has moved forward decisively on the economic front, emerging as the 4th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. India has a large pool of trained and skilled manpower - our scientists, technologists and professionals are doing us proud. Scientific research and technological development have taken firm roots, and Indians are contributing significantly to the knowledge economy all over the world. India has established its place as a major player in the IT and IT enabled Services sector. Leading analysts, opinion makers and economists are regularly commenting on lndia's growing stature in the emerging global order. Our nation is on the march towards a brighter future and I am confident that in this journey, the Indian Diaspora will be active participants.

We are undertaking a large scale expansion of infrastructure in India, which opens numerous opportunities for investment in roads, airports, shipping, energy among many others. India is also a large market in which the middle class has been growing. This makes it an attractive market, which has considerable purchasing capacity. We are expanding our education and healthcare sectors as essential pillars for building a human resource that is educated and healthy. We look at inclusive growth as important goal and hence, the Government has taken up social welfare programmes in whose implementation, civil society and NGOs are important partners. This is another field in which Indians abroad can play a role. I hope that you will support these efforts.

The Government of India on its part, is keenly interested in the well-being of the people of Indian origin who choose to live abroad. An exclusive Ministry for the welfare of Overseas Indians was established some years ago. It functions not only to address issues relating to the welfare of Indians abroad, but also to actively engage them as partners in India's development. Many schemes such as PIO and Overseas Citizen of India Cards have been launched. At the annual function of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, recognition is accorded to Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin living abroad who through their work contribute to promoting linkages between India and their country of domicile. I myself have participated at two occasions of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, and seen for myself the deep emotional and cultural bonds that overseas Indians have for the land of their forefathers. I would urge you to continue to nurture these contacts.

In the end, I wish you well in your chosen careers. My best wishes to you all.

Thank you.

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