NRIS to be involved in Pravasi Diwas agenda: Oscar

    Hyderabad: As many as 1,360 Persons of Indian Origin and Non-Resident Indians registered for PBD-2006 and out of them 1,146 delegates from 51 countries participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2006. This was disclosed by the Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Oscar Fernandes at the ninth and the last plenary session of the PBD here today. Fernandes said that efforts will be made in future to involve the NRIs and the PIOs also in preparing the agenda for the next Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas events. The Minister said that the PBD-2006 has identified some significant and important issues concerning the PIOs and the NRIs and recommendations made in different sessions will be processed by the Ministry and appropriate action will be taken on them.

   Briefing about some of the important achievements of the PBD- 2006, S Krishna Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, said that a Remittance Service was launched for the NRIs on the first day of the event. He hoped that this facility will help in further improving the savings potential of the NRIs and encourage them to invest in India. He also hoped that the Knowledge Network as proposed during the fifth plenary session would soon become a reality, with the help of UNESCO and UNDP. He assured that the suggestions and proposals made by the delegates in various sessions will help in working out an action plan for the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

Andhra Government to create separate department for NRIs

    Hyderabad: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to set up a separate NRI department which will work for the welfare of the non-resident Andhraites. Speaking at a session on the 'Indians in Gulf' at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2006 here today, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, the Minister for Information and Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh, said that the State Government had set up a study group under his chairmanship to look into the problems of non-resident Andhraites in the Gulf countries, which has recently submitted its report.

   The report on the findings of the Group suggested that Andhra immigrants are facing problems with the immigration laws of host countries, Shabbir said. Stating that the state government is very keen to solve the problems of Telugus in the Gulf countries, the Minister informed that the state government has decided to create a single window cell to provide various services to visiting and returning Andhra NRIs. The cell will ensure proper counseling and guidance to prospective and present Gulf NRIs, liaison with various government departments, proper pre-departure training, consultancy services for savings and investments by the NRIs, awareness about immigration laws and other issues. The State Government is also considering a special group insurance scheme with coverage of accident, health and other benefits for the NRIs and making registration of recruiting agents and a man-power corporation to meet the labour demand overseas. Emphasizing the need to provide vocational and professional training to intending workers overseas, Shri Shabbir Ali said that the Osmania University, Maulana Abdul Kalam National Urdu University and the University of Hyderabad have decided to set up study centers in Gulf countries. Speaking on the occasion, Madhavan, the President of Indian Association in Sharjah, appealed to the Central Government to reserve seats in all professional colleges for the children of NRIs. K. Kumar, President , Indian Community Welfare Committee, Dubai, said that the blue-collar workers in the Gulf are facing the problem of delayed and non-payment of wages and requested the Union Government to look into the matter through its Embassies.

NRIs intervention sought in containing HIV/AIDS

    Hyderabad: The Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Oscar Fernandes, has urged Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin to support AIDS awareness and control activities in India. He said that the Government was involving all related agencies in to spread awareness about killer disease. Fernandes, who was also the Convener of Parliamentary forum on AIDS, was delivering key note address at Panel Discussion on HIV/AIDS in India-Role of Diaspora, at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas- 2006, here today. He said that for the Government, ensuing the safety of every Indian from this disease is a matter of priority. Fernandes lauded those efforts of Andhra Pradesh government in creating awareness among masses as well as vulnerable groups with sex education even at school and college level. K Rosaiah, Andhra Pradesh's Minister of Health and Finance, urged NRIs and PIOs to come forward to adopt HIV/AIDS affected children. He chaired the panel discussion on HIV/AIDS in India-Role of Diaspora. The State Health Minister also asked them to give a thought towards adopting districts of their native land to maintain primary health centers. Suresh Prabhu, a member of Parliamentary forum on AIDS, asked the delegates to think globally and act locally. J.D. Seelam, another member of the forum also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Vijay Koli, Inder Singh, President GOPIO, Dr. Arjun R.V. Daluvoy, were also present at the occasion.

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