Breaking more walls for non-resident Indians, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs announced that Indians abroad could take active part in the development process of the country.
Speaking at the second day of the eighth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Friday at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Ravi said NRIs could interact with Indian leaders and share their views on India's development plans.
"You can also articulate the problems you face in your adopted countries," he said.
The government has in the last eight years opened the doors for NRIs by amending old policies and encouraging more participation from them in the home country.
A total of 1,200 delegates from 50 countries are attending the three-day conference that ends on Saturday.
Ravi also listed the progress of the landmark initiatives taken by India over the years. In 2006, the government had launched the Overseas Citizen of India card, and has so far issued 5 lakh cards, he said.
The prime minister also launched a new a business-to-business networking portal for NRIs that will enable overseas Indians to do business and invest in India.
In 2007, the government introduced an overseas citizens' facilitation center to help NRIs start business in India. From 2008, NRIs interested in contributing to their native villages and states could channel funds through a foundation formed by the Centre. In 2009, the Centre launched the global knowledge platform, through which NRIs could share their knowledge and skills with India.
Lord Khalid Hameed of Hampstead CBE DL, UK, was the chief guest for the session.
Speaking on the occasion he said the NRIs were the unofficial ambassadors of our country.
Pointing out to religious clashes in various parts of the world, Hameed said the different communities of world religions must unite and work for peace.
"We have to do something to prevent the world from moving from one crises to the next," he said.
"Islamic violence is a threat in the 21st century. We must look at Islamic culture and other cultures and see what has happened post 9/11 and 26/11, where innocents were killed. Islam had been identified with mayhem. But Islam condemns killing of innocents and suicide," Hammed pointed out.
"This is against Islam and against the Quran and all Muslims must stop this depravity. Terrorists are evil irrespective of their religion and they are a tiny minority," he added.
"The Haj message from the holy city of Mecca this year was 'Unite against terror'. But the media did not report this as they were busy highlighting divisive stories," Hameed said.
"Religion is the cause of peace and war. Religion can hurt and heal," he said.
"The Koran says 'Respect all of God's creations', the Bible tells us to love strangers, and Hinduism talks about 'Vasudevakutumbam' that the world is one family. Sikhism talks about the oneness of God and Christianity tells us to love our neighbours," he said.
