|
Sarkaritel.com News and Features
President Presents Samman
Awards to 13 Overseas Indians
New Delhi, January 11, 2007
A World Knowledge Platform can be a launchpad for
innovation with the combined power of nations, said Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam, President of India. He was addressing the
valedictory session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2007
organised in New Delhi by the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs, the Government of the National Capital Territory of
Delhi, and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Ending the three-day event on a rousing note, the President
also presented the Samman Awards to 13 overseas Indians who
have contributed significantly in different walks of life
across the world, and raised the profile of India. Two of the
awardees, Mr. Gopal Raju of USA and Mr. Moti Tika Ram of Fiji,
shared some of their experiences and perspectives.
Elaborating on the World Knowledge Platform, the President
gave the example of the design and development of the Brahmos
missile, which is a world-class product at low cost developed
within a record time period. Combining core competencies of
nations would help develop knowledge products in a short lead
time. The Pan-African network between India and the African
continent would also assist education, telemedicine, and
e-governance in 53 countries in Africa through an e-network
and e-connectivity. Sixteen countries are expected to be
connected in the first quarter of this year, and the remaining
by next year. The World Knowledge Platform would have missions
in the categories of energy, water, healthcare, food,
knowledge products, automobiles, and capacity building.
President Kalam also outlined the Global Human Resource
Cadre, two cadres comprising youth with world class skills and
youth with higher education and research qualifications.
India’s current levels of higher education must be raised to
50% by 2040 and each Indian student must have the choice of
the education he wants to pursue. PIOs can help in this effort
through ideas and funding, stated the President.
Giving his vision of India in 2020, he said that the
country has the potential to be a developed country by 2030.
There are great opportunities in the great transformation of
India, he concluded. The President also read out a poem
composed by him for PIOs.
Earlier, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vayalar
Ravi, said that the last three days of the event have raised
several ideas, and partnership opportunities for overseas
Indian have been explored. The partnership agenda would be
taken forward and developed into actionable points.
The Minister assured that the Prime Minister’s announcement
of establishing an Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre to
serve as a single window for investment advisory services
would take force by the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in
January 2008. He also stated that the framework of a PIO
university in a Special Economic Zone under the UGC Act would
be worked out shortly. The third initiative announced by the
Prime Minister - of a central council for overseas employment
for overseas Indian workers - will also be launched in the
next few months.
Mr. Nirmal Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs, while welcoming the dignitaries, said that 1100
persons from 47 countries had attended the PBD 2007. Social
development in education, health, women’s issues and youth as
well as partnership with the states had been addressed. An
action-oriented plan would be formulated from the ideas
generated, he said.
Presenting the vote of thanks, Mr. R Seshasayee, President,
Confederation of Indian Industry said that overseas Indians
exemplified ‘unity in diversity’ by assimilating diverse
cultures, while at the same time, displaying unity of purpose
for building India. The concept of inclusive growth should
include overseas Indians as well, he stated. CII has roots all
over India and abroad, and proposes to create a platform with
the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for overseas Indians,
said Mr. Seshasayee.
Students of the Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Jor Bagh, presented a
song entitled ‘Ignited Minds’ during the valedictory session.
E-Mail :
newseditor@sarkaritel.com |
