By Pervez Bari

INDORE – President of India Mrs. Draupadi Murmu has said that the coming 25 years are critical for the development of India. India is continuously on an ambitious journey of becoming the Vishwa Guru. In the year 2047, when our country would be celebrating the Century of independence, by then our country would have become self-reliant and Vishwa guru. Overseas Indians settled in every corner of the world have an important role in India’s development journey.

President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu said that India’s resolve is equal and equitable development of all in the world. Our philosophy is of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The whole world is one family for us. NRI’s are reliable partners in India’s development. We want to make you the full partner. Your collective strength, innovative ideas, technology, efficiency, capability will contribute significantly in making India self-reliant.

President Mrs.Murmu was speaking at the valedictory function of the three-day 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan at Brilliant Convention Centre, here on Tuesday. She presented Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to 27 Non-Resident Indians for their outstanding work in their respective fields. President of Guyana, Dr. Mohammad Irfan Ali and President of Suriname Chandrika Prasad Santokhi were guests of honour. Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangu Bhai Patel was also present on the occasion.

Mrs. Murmu said that Non Resident Indians have a special and important place in the world. They have gained expertise in every field of art, literature, politics, sports, business, public welfare, science, technology etc. with their dedication and hard work. Your achievements are a matter of pride and happiness for us.

She said that the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is the highest honour of the country given to the Non-Resident Indians. It showcases the work and contribution made by them to India and other countries. You all deserve congratulations for raising the flag of India in the world.

PBDS played important role in India’s progress of

She opined that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Sammelan (PBDS), has played an important role in the progress of India in the past two decades. It has become an important platform for dialogue and co-operation between the government and the Indian Diaspora. The conference was organised virtually 2 years ago due to Corona. It gives me great pleasure to meet all of you today. This conference is celebrated in the glorious memory of the return of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi from Africa on 9th January 1915.

Mrs. Murmu said that all the sessions of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan have been very important. On the basis of the findings obtained in these, the way of progress will open in various fields. The participation of women entrepreneurs in particular has been significant in the conference. It will strengthen our economy. The role of young In NRI’s in the conference is also commendable. They will make a significant contribution to the expansion of new technology. Economic and other challenges before the world at the present time will also be solved. India will have better relations with all countries.

President Mrs. Murmu said that this year India has the honour of presiding over the G-20. Its theme “One Earth, One Family and One Future” is based on our vision of a global family. India will open doors of equal development for all in the whole world.

Madhya Pradesh has highest growth rate

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the growth rate of Madhya Pradesh is 19.76 which is the highest in the country. The contribution of Madhya Pradesh in the country’s economy has increased from 3.6 percent to 4.6 percent. This state has become the food basket of India. Madhya Pradesh has left Punjab behind in wheat production. The state’s wheat excellent in quality and rice and other products of Madhya Pradesh are also making recognition. Madhya Pradesh is also ahead in the field of good governance and ease of doing business. He also appealed to set-up help desks for the children of Madhya Pradesh in the countries where NRIs are living so that children can be facilitated.

Chief Minister Chouhan called upon the NRIs not to forget Madhya Pradesh. The Global Investors Summit is being organised for the next two days, participate in it for the purpose of investment. He said that NRIs can become friends of Madhya Pradesh by joining the Friends of MP portal. Whether investing in Madhya Pradesh or not, but definitely come to India once in a year Non Resident Indians of Madhya Pradesh must visit the cities and villages of Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of their Pride Day.

‘Jab Tum Jaoge, To Yaad Bahut Aaoge’

Chief Minister Chouhan also apprised in detail about the tourism facilities of Madhya Pradesh. He also informed about the facility of Cheetah sighting in Kuno Palpur from the month of February, other tiger reserves of the state and important tourism places. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that all the NRIs are leaving with memories of Indore. In such a situation, the mind says that “Jab Tum Jaoge, To Yaad Bahut Aaoge”. Chief Minister Chouhan further added, “Tum Bin Lagega Rajwada Soona Aur Sarafa Soona Soona, Tum Bin Lagega Yeh Hrdayghat Soona”.

He concluded his address with this poem by eminent poet Dr. Bashir Badr – “Musafir Hain Hum Bhi, Musafir Ho Tum Bhi; Kisi Mod Par Phir Mulaqat Hogi”.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has given LER to NRIs. Giving the message of Learn-Earn and Do Return, said that your future lies here. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is establishing its reputation in the whole world by working on the concept of one earth, one family, one future.

Scindia said that NRIs have left the mark of their talent in all fields. In the fields of information technology, science and technology, medicine, education, business, etc., the Diaspora has shown the ability to save the world. The participation of overseas Indians is important in making India a developed and self-reliant nation.

President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in the session. Under this, award for Community Welfare to the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohammed Irfan Ali, award for Science, Technology and Education to Australia’s Professor Jagdish Chandrapati, Education to Bhutan’s Sanjeev Mehta, Art-Culture to Brazil’s Dilip Lundo, Medicine to Brunei’s Dr. Alexander John, Art & Culture to Dr. Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanam of Canada, Dr.Jugendar Singh Nizar of Croatia, Information Technology to Professor Ramji Prasad of Denmark, Community Welfare to Dr. Kannan Ambalam of Ethiopia, and award for community welfare and medicine was given to Dr. Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay of Germany. Ms Rina Vinod Pushkarna of Israel for community welfare, Ms Maksuda Sarfi Shiotani of Japan for work in the field of education, Dr. Rajagopal of Mexico for education, to Amit Kailashchandra Lath of Poland for Community Welfare and Business, Parmanand Sukhmal Daswani of Congo for Community Welfare, Piyush Gupta of Singapore, Business, Mohanlal Hira of South Africa for Community Welfare, Sanjay Kumar Shivbhai Patel of South Sudan, Community Welfare and Business, Sivkumar Nadesan of Sri Lanka, Community Welfare, Dr. Devchandrabhose Sharma of Suriname, Community Welfare, Dr. Acharna Sharma of Switzerland, Science and Technology, Chandrakant Patel of UK for Media, Dr. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal of USA, Trade and Community Welfare, Ashok Tiwari of Uzbekistan for business, Siddharth Balachandran of UAE, Trade and Community Welfare and Justice Frank Arthur Siprasad of Trinidad and Tobago for education and community welfare were awarded.