Sustaining the trend started by the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the 22nd International Congress of NRIs on Saturday felicitated the Indian diaspora in a glittering ceremony in New Delhi.
Nav Ratan and Hind Ratan awards were given to delegates from over 52 countries.
Terming the NRI's as the flag-bearers of India, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission K C Pant, said, "Prestige of People of Indian Origin depends upon the image of the country painted abroad.
"There are elements that want to denigrate India and paint it in bad light. It becomes the duty of the Indian diaspora to correct it," he said adding India had made significant progress in the last 10 years and the time was ripe for both NRI's and others to come together.
Recalling his tenure as an envoy, former president K R Narayanan said, "I consider myself an NRI and revere the commendable contributions made by the diaspora in development of the country."
He asked the NRI community to work for the development of health and education sector in the states they hailed from.
Former election commissioner G V G Krishnamurthy also spoke on the occasion.
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