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Minister invites NRI Investments in Telecom & IT Sectors
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The 60th Republic Day of India was celebrated at Embassy of India in Moscow on January 26, 2009 at the Embassy premises. Ambassador of India to Russia, Mr. Prabhat P Shukla, hoisted the National Flag at 0930 hrs and read out the address of the President of India to the Nation. The Indian community in Moscow participated in the ceremony in large numbers and children from the Embassy of India School sang patriotic songs.
Ambassador hosted a reception at the prestigious ‘Dom Pashkova’ in the afternoon of January 26, 2009 which was attended by senior dignitaries from the Government of the Russian Federation, representatives of the local diplomatic community, and representatives of the Russian academic, media, science, culture and other spheres. Click here to view the Gallery |
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President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi conveyed New Year’s greetings to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson also conveyed New Year’s greetings to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in a letter to President Medvedev communicated her gratitude for President Medvedev’s message condemning the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee, in a letter to Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Mr. Boris Gryzlov, expressed India’s appreciation of the Resolution and the Statement adopted by the Russian State Duma on the Mumbai terrorist attacks. |
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President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s Republic Day address
India celebrated 60th Republic Day on 26th January 2009. On the eve of the republic day President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil addressed the nation, here are the highlights.
For six decades we have been a democratic republic and have been guided by the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The 60th milestone is marked with the many successes that we have achieved in different fields, and a host of issues that need our attention. We can look at our achievements with justifiable pride and focus on our shortcomings with a spirit of resolve. It is the manner in which we address the challenges we face that will determine the destiny towards which our nation is steered. We have witnessed, in the last one year, major events in the financial and security scenario both at the global and the national level – terrorism and violence, natural disasters, volatility in oil and food prices, and a global economic slowdown. These tested the inherent structures and systems for dealing with emergent situations, throwing up challenges of addressing inadequacies and highlighting the need to reinforce monitoring and response mechanisms. Full Text
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Prime Minister opens seventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh lighting the traditional lamp to inaugurate the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, at Chennai on January 08, 2009. |
The 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from 07-09 January 2009. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 8th January. The President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil delivered the valedictory address on the 9th. She also conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009.
The Convention was organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would be the institutional partner. This was the first time, Chennai hosted the Convention.
| KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PBD 09 |
- Nearly 1500 delegates took part in the Convention from 48 countries. Including exhibitors, the number is over 3000.
- Maximum numbers of 270 delegates were from Malaysia followed by 127 from USA.
- The Global Indian knowledge Network was launched to create a virtual think tank by connecting the diaspora.
- Qualified professional holding OCI card can practice in India.
- Smart card to be issued to all Indian workers immigrating from 1st June this year.
- Government of India, the diaspora and all stakeholders reiterated their commitment to strengthen bond and work for mutual benefit.
- During all sessions, it was acknowledged that India’s growth story remains positive and presents an opportunity for profitable engagement between India and diaspora.
- Chief Ministers highlighted investment potential in their states and extended support for diaspora investment.
- Union Ministers conveyed to the diaspora the potential in their sectors and invited them to participate in projects.
- During the sessions, there was a consensus for increased diaspora participation in health, education and rural development in the mode of public-private partnership.
- Chief Ministers and other state-level Ministers gave details about the business / investment opportunities in their states in separate interaction with PIOs/NRIs.
- Delegates were also clarified on various existing policies and programmes of MOIA affecting PIOs/NRIs.
- 13 recipients from across the world were presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009.
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The 7th PBD focused on issues relating to the role of Overseas Indians in India's emergence as a global power. PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin on matters of common interest. These Conventions enable the Government of India to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indians from the land of their ancestors and to acknowledge their role in India's all round development and its efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations. Formation of a separate Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in 2004 is a testimony to the importance attached by the Government towards the well-being of the Persons of Indian Origin and their close affinity with India.
Decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at such Conventions include formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualisation of a PIO University, formation of Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and setting up of an India Development Foundation. Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are designed specifically for Diaspora youth. |
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