Reforms are like cricket scores, once they are scored, you just cannot erase them from the scoreboard," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.
'If any Pravasi attends the event he will not be disappointed,' says Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.
Ramesh Chandra, a retired design engineer who has been in the US since 1980, is in New Delhi to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. His main interest in coming to India has been to point out this flaw, which he says is evident at several important places.
On the eve of the sixth PBD, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi clears the air about these perceptions and explains to rediff.com's Krishnakumar how this year's event will bridge the gap between the Indians abroad and Indians back home.
Mauritian Premier Anerood Jugnauth, former Commonwealth secretary-general Sridath Ramphal, British MP Navneet Dholakia and McKinsey partner Rajat Gupta are among them.
'Across the globe, Indians have been treated as coolies. Here when we are in India, I do not want to be treated as a coolie.'
He also thanked the non-resident Indians in West Asia and other parts of the world for the handsome contribution their remittances make to the strengthening of our economy.
"Moreover, PBD has a lot to do with government and each government takes advantage of it and utilises it for its vested interest."
When people belonging to the Indian Diaspora come to participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held from January 7 to 9, they can avail of a special programme to retrace their roots.
The government is talking to certain countries on the issue of extending dual citizenship to non-resident Indians and People of Indian Origin, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.\n\n
'This is because earlier we didn't have any ministry. People came, spoke and went away. There was no follow-up. But the two PBDs have focussed on the problems,' says Jagdish Tytler.
'India has no shortage of money. It's people with certain types of expertise, commitment -- we have a shortage of,' says Devesh Kapur, associate professor at Harvard.
Nav Ratan and Hind Ratan awards were given to delegates from over 52 countries at the 22nd International Congress of NRIs in New Delhi.
The text of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speech at the inaugural session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, January 9, 2003
The government is giving final shape to a proposal to accord dual citizenship to persons of Indian origin (PIO) abroad by bringing amendments to the Citizenship Act.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has set up a 'Diaspora Division' for forging a producive partnership with Indians living abroad as part of its efforts to tap the economic potential of overseas Indians.
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